Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, accused in the United States of sexual harassment by some twenty women, asked for their forgiveness by saying "sincerely sorry for the suffering caused", in a statement published Tuesday. "I want them to know that I am sincerely sorry for the suffering I caused them. I accept full responsibility for my actions," said the 79-year-old singer who had so far always firmly denied the accusations. .
Two Associated Press Investigations
In an investigation published in August by the Associated Press agency, nine women claimed to have been harassed by the singer from the late 1980s. Associated Press published a second investigation in September, claiming that eleven other women, saying they also victims, had come forward.
In its press release, relayed in Spain by the Europa Press agency, Placido Domingo claims "to have taken the time in recent months to think about the accusations" and indicates "to understand now that some women may have been afraid to express honestly because of fear of impact on their careers. "
Several canceled performances
This request for forgiveness from Placido Domingo comes the day after the decision of a Manhattan jury to find film producer Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault and rape, a verdict applauded by the #MeToo movement.
After these accusations of sexual harassment, Placido Domingo had left in October the direction of the opera house of Los Angeles, which he occupied since 2003. He also gave up performing at the Metropolitan Opera of New York while other American operas canceled his performances. However, it continued to occur in Europe.