US star soprano misses La Scala gala season-open debut
United States' soprano Lisette Oropesa poses in front of La Scala opera theater in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Soprano Lisette Oropesa was to be the first American to single a title role in the gala season opener of La Scala since Maria Callas in the 1950s. Oropesa is one of 24 singers recording for a broadcast event marking the traditional Dec. 7 opening. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)MILAN โ Soprano Lisette Oropesa was to be the first American to sing a title role in the gala season opener at La Scala since Maria Callas in the 1950s. Management opted for a gala evening of star singers and ballet dancers, mostly recorded in segments in advance.
Placido Domingo to receive lifetime award in Austria
FILE- In this Aug. 28, 2019, file photo, opera singer Placido Domingo performs during a concert in Szeged, Hungary. Domingo will make his first public appearance since recovering from coronavirus to accept a lifetime achievement award on Aug. 6 in Salzburg, Austria. (AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh, File)SOAVE Placido Domingo will make his first public appearance since recovering from coronavirus to accept a lifetime achievement award in Austria next week. The famed tenor will receive the honor on Aug. 6 in Salzburg by the organization behind Austrias Music Prize at an invitation-only ceremony. Since European lockdowns have eased, classical music performances are gradually resuming and Domingo also has a full fall calendar, just months after recovering from the virus.
Lebanon holds Baalbek concert despite virus, economic crisis
Musicians from the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra perform during a concert in the ancient northeastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon, Sunday, July 5, 2020. Dubbed "an act of cultural resilience," the concert aims to send a message of unity and hope to the world amid the coronavirus pandemic and an unprecedented economic and financial crisis in Lebanon. For the first time since the Baalbek International Festival was launched in 1956, this year's concert is being held without an audience, in line with strict COVID-19 guidelines. Lebanese watching the 55-minute show at home posted nostalgic sentiments on social media about bygone days that have been replaced by an economic crisis and growing poverty and hunger. Lebanon is being shaken by a severe economic and financial crisis, made worse in recent months by the coronavirus and lockdown restrictions.
Singer Andrea Bocelli: 'Absurd' to shun opera legend Domingo
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is staunchly defending opera legend Placido Domingo, calling it "absurd" that opera houses have canceled the star's performances over sexual harassment allegations before they are fully investigated. "I am still appalled at what happened to this incredible artist," Bocelli said. Bocelli spoke to The Associated Press through an Italian translator during an interview at his Miami-area home. Bocelli and Domingo are credited with injecting new energy into opera during times when its popularity had dwindled. "Today, it risks being an elite phenomenon, and this is a pity because opera was born for the people."
chicagotribune.comPlacido Domingo resigns from LA Opera leadership
FILE PHOTO: Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo poses for a portrait at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California June 3, 2014. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Opera singer Placido Domingo on Wednesday resigned as general director of Los Angeles Opera, saying that accusations of sexual misconduct had compromised his ability to continue in the role. Domingo, 78, has disputed the accusations but Los Angeles Opera in August said it would hold an independent investigation. He has been general director at LA Opera since 2003. LA Opera on Wednesday described Domingo as an outstandingly talented artist (and) also the driving force behind the creation, development and growth of LA Opera.Last month the Spanish singer and conductor pulled out at the last minute from a performance in Macbeth at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and said he would never perform there again.
feeds.reuters.comLA Opera to investigate allegations against Placido Domingo
On Tuesday, the LA Opera announced it would investigate the complaints. "LA Opera has robust human resources policies and procedures in place. In accordance with those policies, LA Opera will engage outside counsel to investigate the concerning allegations about Plcido Domingo," a spokesperson for the LA Opera said in a statement to CNN. San Francisco Opera announced the cancellation of an upcoming performance by Domingo scheduled in October, citing reports on the allegations. "Though the alleged incidents reported did not take place at San Francisco Opera, the Company is unable to present the artist on the War Memorial Opera House stage," a spokesperson for San Francisco Opera said in a statement to CNN.
LA Opera to investigate sexual misconduct accusations against Placido Domingo
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Opera said on Tuesday it will investigate accusations of sexual misconduct against Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, as two organizations canceled planned appearances by him. The Los Angeles Opera, where Domingo is general director, was responding to accusations made by eight singers, a dancer and others in the classical music world in a report by the Associated Press. Domingo said in a statement that the accusations were inaccurate. LA Opera will engage outside counsel to investigate the concerning allegations about Placido Domingo, the opera house said in a statement. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File PhotoDomingo, 78, is one of the most famous opera singers and directors in the world and the LA Opera described him on Tuesday as a dynamic force there for more than 30 years.
feeds.reuters.comLA Opera to investigate Placido Domingo over accusations
Domingo has been general director of the LA Opera since 2003 and previously served as the company's artistic director, jobs that gave him the power to cast roles and his accusers say make, or break, careers. The LA Opera said it would hire outside counsel to investigate the "concerning allegations" against Domingo. "Placido 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," the company said in a statement. "I have known Placido Domingo for more than 25 years," Rabl-Stadler said in a statement. Domingo served as artistic director for the Washington Opera from 1996-2003 and as the company's general director from 2003 to 2011, during which time its name was changed to Washington National Opera.
chicagotribune.comAP: Placido Domingo accused of sexual harassment
1941: Tenor singer and conductor Plcido Domingo, known for his versatile and strong voice and one of the members of The Three Tenors, is born in Madrid, Spain. LOS ANGELES - Famed opera singer, conductor and composer Placido Domingo is being accused by multiple women of sexual harassment, the Associated Press reports. The AP states Domingo has tried for decades to pressure women into relationships by promising jobs and damaging their careers if they refused, citing interviews with eight singers and a dancer. The AP report goes on to say that Domingo's behavior was an 'open secret' in the opera world. One accuser tells the AP she was groped, and three others report unwanted kisses.
Concerts canceled, investigation opened into Placido Domingo
Two music companies canceled appearances by Placido Domingo and the Los Angeles Opera said Tuesday it would launch an investigation in response to an Associated Press story in which numerous women accused the opera legend of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior spanning decades. The LA Opera said it would hire outside counsel to investigate the "concerning allegations" against Domingo. "Placido 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," the company said in a statement. "I have known Placido Domingo for more than 25 years," Rabl-Stadler said in a statement. In a joint statement to AP, the institutions said the allegations against Domingo predated the merger.
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