Placido Domingo resigns from LA Opera, denies sexual accusations

Opera sensation Plácido Domingo has resigned as the Los Angeles Opera’s general director in reaction to the sexual harassment allegations against him on Wednesday. Although, he has denied all the charges against him. In his resignation, he has withdrawn from all future scheduled performances at the opera, including places where he had been performing for over five decades.  

Domingo withdraws from scheduled events in the United States

According to recent reports, Domingo claimed that the accusations against him have created an environment in which his ability and will to serve the Company, that he loves working for, has been compromised. The 78-year-old opera star recently stated that while he was working to deal with the accusations in order to clear his name, he had resigned with a heavy heart. Furthermore, wanted to convey to the company’s dedicated board and hard-working staff his wishes that LA Opera continues to grow and prosper. His remaining performances at the LA Opera, from which he withdrew, were his last scheduled events in the United States. 

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According to sources, the Spanish-born singer was deeply disheartened by the fact that he had to withdraw from all future performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he’s performed for 51 years. Several other prominent ensembles in the U.S., such as the San Francisco Opera, the Washington National Opera and the Philadelphia Orchestra have also cancelled his shows scheduled this year.  

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However, Domingo still has scheduled performances in Europe. The resignation, withdrawals, and cancellations of shows occurred soon after allegations of sexual misconduct against Domingo poured from several women within the music industry, in August. Some of the cases date back to the 1980s. 

Industry opens up about Domingo's behaviour 

According to recent reports, eight singers and one dancer came forward about Domingo’s history of pressuring women into sexual relationships in exchange for jobs, and would sometimes punish women professionally if they refused his advances. Nearly three dozen people in the industry reported Domingo behaving inappropriately toward younger women. 

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In addition to previous cases, 11 women recently raised incidents of unwanted touching, attempted kissing, phone calls late at night and repeated pressuring for private get-togethers from Domingo, raising the number of accusers at 20. Domingo, who for decades has been considered one of the most powerful men in opera, has denied the allegations in the past, calling them both “deeply troubling” and “inaccurate.” 

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