Three Tenors star Placido Domingo accused of sexually harassing nine women as Weinstein-style ‘sex for stardom’ allegations hits opera world

OPERATIC phenomenon Placido Domingo is being accused of sexually harassing nine women in a Weinstein-style "sex for stardom" scandal.

A number of female opera singers among other performers have alleged the star tried to pressure them into sexual relationships and even punished them when he got rejected.

Other women said Domingo's behaviour made them uncomfortable or that they saw him pursuing younger women.

Another woman said Domingo had put his hand down her skirt while three others said he forced wet kisses on their lips.

SINGER DENIES ALLEGATIONS

The world-famous star strongly denies the accusations against him.

One accuser said: "A business lunch is not strange.

"Somebody trying to hold your hand during a business lunch is strange, or putting their hand on your knee is a little strange.

"He was always touching you in some way, and always kissing you."

Seven of the accusers have said their operatic careers faded after they rejected the 78-year-old.

He was always touching you in some way, and always kissing you

Accuser

Eight singers and a dancer have said they were sexually harassed by the long-married, Spanish-born superstar in encounters that took place over three decades beginning in the late 1980s.

The women making the accusations were mostly young and starting their careers at the time.

They claim the harassment took place at opera companies where he held top managerial positions.

Several said they took extreme measures to avoid Domingo, including no longer using the ladies’ toilet near his office, asking other singers or backstage staff to stick with them while at work, and not answering their phones at home.

'PURSUED YOUNGER WOMEN'

One singer said he repeatedly asked her out on dates after hiring her to sing a series of concerts with him in the 1990s.

Nearly three dozen other singers, dancers, orchestra musicians, members of backstage staff, voice teachers and an administrator have also said they witnessed inappropriate sexually tinged behaviour by Domingo and that he pursued younger women with impunity.

Domingo issued a statement saying: “The allegations from these unnamed individuals dating back as many as thirty years are deeply troubling, and as presented, inaccurate.

“Still, it is painful to hear that I may have upset anyone or made them feel uncomfortable — no matter how long ago and despite my best intentions.

"I believed that all of my interactions and relationships were always welcomed and consensual."

The allegations from these unnamed individuals dating back as many as thirty years are deeply troubling, and as presented, inaccurate

Placido Domingo

He continued: "People who know me or who have worked with me know that I am not someone who would intentionally harm, offend, or embarrass anyone.

“However, I recognize that the rules and standards by which we are — and should be — measured against today are very different than they were in the past."

He added: "I am blessed and privileged to have had a more than 50-year career in opera and will hold myself to the highest standards.”

At 78, Domingo still attracts sellout crowds around the globe and continues adding to the 150 roles he has sung in 4,000-plus performances, more than any opera singer in history.

He is also a conductor and director of the Los Angeles Opera and has won multiple Grammy awards.