As you’ll be aware the #metoo movement has empowered anyone who has been sexually abused to name their abuser and as a consequence, rightly or wrongly, careers have been destroyed even by the whiff of rumour.
Up and till now this has been widely celebrated and encouraged, but what happens when a giant of the industry is accused? someone whose appeal at the box office funds jobs and provides a much needed financial boost to venues?
We’re about to find out as the mega-mega opera star, Plácido Domingo, beloved by millions, faces accusations of sexual harassment.
He’s scheduled to appear at the Royal Opera House next July in Nicholas Hytner’s production of Don Carlo, a co-production with Norwegian National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
The trouble is that the singer and conductor is apparently facing multiple accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour by several women who have come into contact with him over 30 years at the LA Opera.
A statement from the American company reads “Plácido 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. 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.”
However according to a report in The Stage “Two further US companies – San Francisco Opera and Philadelphia Opera – have since cancelled upcoming appearances by Domingo they were due to host”.
Meanwhile, in contrast, in London a spokesman for the Royal Opera House told them “The ROH has not been made aware of any accusations pertaining to Plácido Domingo’s time as a visiting artist or conductor. However, we have a zero tolerance policy towards harassment of any kind and recently refreshed our code of conduct to ensure all staff and visiting artists abide by the rules at all times… Anyone at the Royal Opera House who feels they have experienced harassment is able to report it safely in the knowledge that it will be investigated and due process followed in every case”.
But so far, the venue, hasn’t cancelled Domingo’s money-making appearance.
It’ll be interesting to see if campaign groups and/or a dip in ticket sales pressures them into doing so.
One of the reasons that the UK has heavily funded flagship theatre companies like the National Theatre is so they can be centres of excellence. And one of the ways the NT leads the world is in the quality of its costume design and making.