Plácido Domingo, the Chairman of global recorded music industry trade body IFPI, has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, the Associated Press reported today (August 13).
The AP cites eight singers and a dancer who allege to have been sexually harassed by the music executive and superstar opera singer “over three decades beginning in the late 1980s, at venues that included opera companies where he held top managerial positions”.
In addition to the nine women who have outright accused Domingo of harassment, AP writes that “a half-dozen other women” have told the news agency of “suggestive overtures by Domingo”.
Added the report: “The AP also spoke to almost three dozen other singers, dancers, orchestra musicians, members of backstage staff, voice teachers and an administrator who said they witnessed inappropriate sexually tinged behavior by Domingo and that he pursued younger women with impunity.”
Domingo issued the following statement to the Associated Press in response: “The allegations from these unnamed individuals dating back as many as thirty years are deeply troubling, and as presented, inaccurate.
“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.”
Plácido Domingo, in a statement to the Associated Press
“Still, it is painful to hear that I may have upset anyone or made them feel uncomfortable — no matter how long ago and despite my best intentions. I believed that all of my interactions and relationships were always welcomed and consensual. People who know me or who have worked with me know that I am not someone who would intentionally harm, offend, or embarrass anyone.
“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 was named Chairman of IFPI in July 2011, when it was announced that he would “play a leading role promoting IFPI’s priorities internationally, including improving copyright legislation, promoting the work of music rights owners, helping develop a thriving digital music sector and supporting the industry’s public education efforts around digital music”.
The role of Chairman sees Domingo work closely with IFPI’s respected Chief Executive, Frances Moore, who was named CEO of the org in July 2010.
Domingo said at the time: “It is a great honour to be invited to become the chairman of IFPI. I have always passionately believed in the importance of respecting talent and in the rights of all those who perform, create, produce and invest in music.
“Today, the world of music and in fact most of the arts is undergoing enormous changes and challenges. Technology, which on one hand allows artists to reach many more than ever before, has led to a debate about how to find a way to protect the intellectual property rights of artists, creators and all those living and working in the world of music. I look forward to being a part of those discussions.”
A former member of The Three Tenors, Domingo’s repertoire as a singer includes 147 roles with nearly 3,700 career performances.
His studio work has seen him win 12 Grammys (including three Latin Grammys).
He has also conducted over 500 operative and symphonic performances with the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, Vienna Staatsoper, LA Opera, Chicago Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, Montréal Symphony, National Symphony, London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic, among others.Music Business Worldwide
