Commentary: What sexual harassment allegations against Placido Domingo could mean for opera culture

  • 📰 latimes
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 57 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Qulity Score:
  • News: 26%
  • Publisher: 82%

Part of Domingo’s defense has been what you might call the Joe Biden defense, that the culture has changed over Domingo’s 65-year career. It has, but that doesn’t excuse improper behavior. Commentary by markswed:

United States Headlines News

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Accusations of harassment against Plácido Domingo dating back to the 1980s raise many questions, and generate a statement of denial from the opera legend.Reaction has, in this age of #MeToo and social-media immediacy, been quick and brutal. By Tuesday morning the Philadelphia Orchestra had dumped Domingo as the star of its season-opening gala next month. Not long afterward, San Francisco Opera followed suit by canceling Domingo’s Oct. 6 recital.

But Domingo is still an important and powerful presence, to say nothing of a tried-and-true draw. Biology be damned, he remains a compelling singer. He brings incomparable experience to the stage. He has performed with a broader range of great conductors and worked with a broader range of great directors than any musician alive.Beyond that, he stands for something: opera for all. Born in Madrid, raised in Mexico City, he has been a proud model for a Latino community with too few superstars .

None of that, though, is evidence that the allegations of the women aren’t true, that there aren’t more sides to Domingo than the one generally seen. This is where we need context. In Domingo’s case, he took to the stage at a time when typical opera stagings were unremarkable theater with what seemed to us comic-book sets and costumes and when many singers stood and belted. Character had to come directly from the singer. For a tenor playing romantic leads, as Domingo did , charisma was as important an ingredient to stardom as his voice. And if you were going to pull it off on stage, a little life experience didn’t hurt.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 11. in US
 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Those that want to drop PlacidoDomingo know his history too well. Those that “support” or “investigate” know his impact to their box office & careers. Placido’s name is bigger than any one board member, general director or victim MetOpera LAOpera BelieveVictims AnOpenSecret

I too admired Domingo immensely for his artistic genius (in a class of his own) and the sheer longevity of extraordinary career. But that doesn’t change the horrifying nature of the allegations and the evident entitlement of such “gods” to prey upon women with impunity

'Artists are held to higher standards than politicians'. I'm depressed to read of these allegations against PlacidoDomingo , but let's hope the truth comes out and let the chips fall fairly. Opera PlacidoDomingo ClassicalMusic Arts SupportTheArts MeToo

The tone & focal choices in this article read uncomfortably, if not downright cringey, times. It's one thing to assert that allegations must be investigated; it's another to imply the fame/fiscal attributes of one's profile to an institution as a foil to unacceptable behavior.

“Learn to be a Don Giovanni and maybe you’ll want to try out a few of those moves yourself.” Don Giovanni is A RAPIST. Perhaps you should rethink this particular line of argument.

“Learn to be a Don Giovanni and maybe you’ll want to try out a few of those moves yourself.” Bonus points: opera singers who play mistreated women on stage will get a beneficial artistic education in being mistreated by celebrated s***heels! Win/win! Oy.

its great to know that markswed cares less about actual women in the music industry than his idea of what classical music should be! Weird! Eat dirt, bro!

markswed This is more nonsense, again, years later, women complain, it's getting silly and meaningless, just stop now.

markswed PS: The only thing Domingo ever seriously mishandled was Otello. Some would say that’s unforgivable. 🤷🏻‍♂️

markswed Going to get crucified for saying this, but, the opera world is rife with mortifying lore about singers/conductors. If it were true, that he was “a problem,” it wouldn’t have been a secret. This is the first I’ve ever heard about Domingo being “handsy.”

markswed These are not victims they are opportunists

markswed That would be the culture where the rich and powerful could rape, pillage and loot with no consequences.

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Los Angeles Opera Investigating ‘Concerning Allegations’ Against Placido DomingoIn response to the sexual harassment allegations leveled by nine women against opera singer Placido Domingo, the Los Angeles Opera, where the singer has been General Director since 2003, offered a …
Source: Variety - 🏆 108. / 63 Read more »

European theaters mostly wait-and-see on Domingo accusationsTwo U.S. performances by famed tenor Placido Domingo were immediately canceled following sexual harassment allegations. But European opera houses are taking stances ranging from supportive to wait-and-see. Are we just going to let women destroy our culture like this? How much money are those accusers asking?(remember it's got nothing to do with money) it's the principle? As a POC and “cultural leader”, he could get away with mass murder amongst his peers.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

European Opera Houses Standing By Placido Domingo… For NowWhile two U.S. opera houses immediately canceled performances by famed tenor Placido Domingo following sexual harassment allegations, European opera houses are taking stances ranging from supportive to wait-and-see. Why now destroy glorious legacy of the God of the operatic world? His response to the unproven & mostly anonymous allegations re decades old events seems sincere & reasonable. He is no Cosby, Weinstein, Epstein or Donald Trump. Metopera PlacidoDomingo BenHeppner TommasiniNYT
Source: billboard - 🏆 112. / 63 Read more »

The Latest: San Francisco Opera cancels Domingo concertThe Latest on sexual harassment accusations against opera legend Placido Domingo (all times EDT): 5 p.m. The San Francisco Opera says it is canceling an October concert featuring... More like Placido Dontsingo I thought Placido Domingo was dead GIVE THAT MAN A CABINET POSITION!
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

Concerts cancelled, investigation opened into Placido DomingoEight singers and a dancer said they were sexually harassed by the long-married, Spanish-born superstar in encounters that took place over three decades beginning in the late 1980s.
Source: trtworld - 🏆 101. / 63 Read more »

The Latest: Philly Orchestra rescinds invitation to DomingoThe Philadelphia Orchestra has rescinded an invitation to have opera legend Placido Domingo appear at its opening night concert after an Associated Press story reported numerous sexual harassment accusations against him. Terrible Opera What a Fredo 😮
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »