The Los Angeles Opera will hire an outside investigator to determine what action the company should take, if any, against Plácido Domingo, the Spanish opera star and general director of the LA Opera who was accused this week of sexual harassment by multiple women.
The Associated Press reported that the company released a statement confirming that the “concerning allegations” against Domingo would be investigated, while the New York Metropolitan Opera said in response that it would await the results of the LA Opera’s probe before taking action.
{mosads}“Placido Domingo has been a dynamic creative force in the life of LA opera and the artistic culture of Los Angeles for more than three decades,” the LA Opera told the AP in a statement. “Nevertheless, we are committed to doing everything we can to foster a professional and collaborative environment where all our employees and artists feel equally comfortable, valued and respected.”
Allegations against Domingo were first reported earlier Tuesday by the AP, a report which resulted in two other opera companies in Philadelphia and San Francisco canceling upcoming performances featuring Domingo.
Domingo, 78, has denied the accusations that he sexually harassed women and then threatened to take action against their careers if they did not keep quiet.
“I believed that all of my interactions and relationships were always welcomed and consensual,” he said Tuesday, while adding that the accusations were “deeply troubling and, as presented inaccurate.”
“However, I recognize that the rules and standards by which we are — and should be — measured against today are very different than they were in the past. I am blessed and privileged to have had a more than 50-year career in opera and will hold myself to the highest standards,” Domingo added.