Spanish Opera Singer, Placido Domingo, Faces New Sexual Harassment Accusations from a Fellow Spanish Singer

New sexual harassment accusations have risen against opera star, Placido Domingo, three years after the singer issued an apology for other claims that had been brought up.

A fellow Spanish singer spoke about the allegations in a television broadcast on Sunday night. She said the opera singer allegedly asked to touch her and tried to kiss her at a theatre in Spain right after they had finished performing together. There was a second incident that occurred in front of the entire staff. Placido noticed she was wearing pants with embroidery on the rear pockets. He proceeded to ask if he could put his hand in one of the pockets. The unidentified singer claimed that his behavior is so well known in the industry that one of the first things women were told was: “Don’t go up in the lift alone with Placido Domingo.”

The singer did not report Domingo to her bosses or the authorities in fear of the consequences it could have on her career. She had been afraid to speak out but once she read about all the women who had told their story she felt moved to share hers.

In 2020, more than 30 singers, dancers, musicians, voice teachers and backstage staff claimed they had witnessed or experienced Placido Domingo’s inappropriate behavior in incidents dating back to the 1980’s. The American Guild of Musical Artists carried out the investigation and concluded that Domingo, 83, had behaved inappropriately.

Domingo released a statement in 2020 stating that he was truly sorry for the hurt he caused and that he respected the women’s decisions to speak out no matter how long ago it had happened and despite his best intentions. However, during an interview with a Spanish newspaper in January 2022, he denied the allegations and said he had been convicted in the court of public opinion since he did not speak out. He claims he never behaved aggressively with anyone and has never done anything to obstruct anyone’s career.

The investigation caused the cancelations of planned performances in Spain, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the San Francisco Opera. The baritone resigned as general director of the Los Angeles Opera, who found 10 allegations about him to be credible. Later that year, Domingo’s name was removed from the young artist early career program at the Washington National Opera in Washington, D.C. He had served as artistic director and then general director from 1996 to 2011.

After one year and a half of absence, Placido Domingo returned to Spain to at a charity concert during the summer. He has started to perform in other countries in Europe and the Middle East, once again.