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.
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.
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