Los Angeles Opera Director Resigns After Allegations of Sexual Harassment, Abuse

The Associated Press spoke with more than 20 women in August who claimed that Placido Domingo, a world-renowned opera star, had sexually harassed and manipulated them for decades. Now, Domingo has finally resigned as general director of the Los Angeles Opera and withdrew from all future performances.

In the two stories published Aug. 13 and Sept. 5 by AP, the women claimed that Domingo tried to pressure them into sexual relationships and sometimes punished them professionally if they rejected him. All of them said they feared reporting Domingo for so many years because of his considerable power and sway in the industry.

Domingo would allegedly ask the women to talk about their careers over dinner and drinks or invite them to his apartment or hotel room, and even call them over and over again at home at night. According to AP, women would hide in dressing rooms and ask their male colleagues to walk them to their cars in order to avoid being along with Domingo.

Women recounted to AP being forcefully kissed by Domingo and roughly molested by him.

Related Article: Carrizo Springs Child Migrant Detention Facility Closing After Less Than One Month

“I hold Los Angeles Opera very dearly to my heart and count my work to create and build it as among my most important legacies,” Domingo said in a statement on Wednesday. “However, recent accusations that have been made against me in the press have created an atmosphere in which my ability to serve this company that I so love has been compromised.”

Domingo, now 78 years old, helped found the company in the 1980s.

Domingo’s decision to resign came after the Metropolitan Opera removed Domingo from the season premiere of “Macbeth” and the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Opera and Dallas Opera all removed him from upcoming performances.

“I feel at peace knowing that speaking publicly is leading to changes that will hopefully protect the next generation of women in the industry,” one of the accusers told AP on Wednesday.

Related

Trending Now

Follow us

Most Popular

Join Our Newsletter

Get the top workplace fairness news delivered straight to your inbox