“The union that represents opera performers and staff has launched its own investigation into sexual harassment allegations against superstar Placido Domingo,” write Jocelyn Gecker and Jocelyn Noveck in Sunday’s (9/8) Associated Press. “The American Guild of Musical Artists … sent an email [on September 6] to its members noting that it had asked companies that employed the 78-year old singer to fully investigate the allegations, but that the companies ‘have been unwilling or unable to provide AGMA with sufficient assurances about the scope and timing of their investigations, as well as whether or not the findings will be publicly disclosed or otherwise made available to the union.’ … The investigation … conducted by criminal defense attorney J. Bruce Maffeo … will … ‘examine the systemic failures within the industry that could have allowed this conduct, if substantiated, to continue unchallenged for decades.’ … Several backstage employees described for the AP how they strove to shield young women from the star as administrators looked the other way.” Domingo, through a spokeswoman, has denied the allegations.
The League of American Orchestras encourages its members to follow best practices in preventing sexual harassment and in responding to claims. The League has posted resources, guidelines, articles, and further information here.
Posted September 11, 2019
