Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, shown here with Puerto Rican soprano Ana Maria Martinez at a recent performance in Hungary, has said he will no longer perform at New York's Metropolitan Opera
Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, shown here with Puerto Rican soprano Ana Maria Martinez at a recent performance in Hungary, has said he will no longer perform at New York's Metropolitan Opera AFP / Attila KISBENEDEK

The Metropolitan Opera in New York announced Tuesday that it is ending its relationship with tenor Placido Domingo amid sexual harassment allegations. Domingo was set to sing the main role in Verdi's "Macbeth" starting Wednesday night and was also set for a minor role in Puccini's "Madama Butterfly."

The Met Opera said that Domingo "had agreed to withdraw from all future performances at the Met, effective immediately."

Approximately 20 women have accused Domingo of either sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behavior towards them.

The 78-year-old Spaniard denies the accusations.

"I made my debut at the Metropolitan Opera at the age of 27 and have sung at the magnificent theater for 51 consecutive, glorious years," Domingo said. "While I strongly dispute recent allegations made about me, and I am concerned about a climate in which people are condemned without due process, upon reflection I believe that my appearance this production of Macbeth would distract from the hard work of my colleagues both onstage and behind the scenes."

One of Domingo's accusers, Patricia Wulf, said that "The Met finally stepped up and did the right thing."

Domingo began his career in 1968 and has sung in 150 roles. He has performed a record 21 opening nights at the Met.

Another renowned singer, Vittorio Grigolo, was suspended this week from the London Royal Opera House due to alleged misconduct.

These latest events could be traced back to the #MeToo Movement which began in October 2017.

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