Just hours after media reported that Placido Domingo has been accused of sexual harassment by nine women, the first consequence of the allegations has been announced: the Philadelphia Orchestra cancelled the tenor’s appearance in the season’s gala opening concert on September 18 under the direction of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The gala’s date will remain the same and the Orchestra is currently looking for a replacement.
“The Philadelphia Orchestra Association has withdrawn its invitation to Placido Domingo to appear as part of its Opening Night concert on September 18, 2019,” the orchestra said in a statement. “We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, respectful, and appropriate environment for the Orchestra and staff, for collaborating artists and composers, and for our audiences and communities. Information about Opening Night artist and program changes will be announced at a later date.”
The Salzburg Festival however is keeping Domingo in its calendar. He is scheduled to sing in two sold-out Luisa Miller performances on August 25 and 31. For Salzburg Festival’s president Helga Rabl-Stadler « in dubio pro reo » applies in this case. She said, it would be irresponsible to pass judgements at the present time.
