Plácido Domingo's ovation in Madrid causes a stir

BarcelonaPlácido Domingo's return to the Spanish stage received a long applause - 3 minutes long, according to El Mundo, and 8 minutes, according to El Español. The singer performed on Wednesday in Madrid at a charity gala. It was his first performance after he admitted "all responsibility" in the harassment allegations that a score of women made against him in August 2019. An investigation by the union of musical artists in the United States ruled that he had practiced "inappropriate behavior". But according to his fans, no judicial investigation supports these allegations.

Plácido Domingo's last performance in Spain was in December 2019 at the Palacio de las Artes in Valencia, where the singer took part in the opera Nabucco. He had not performed in Madrid for two years. Since then, there had been several cancellations of concerts, also by the Ministry of Culture, at the Teatro Real and the Zarzuela. There have even been name changes such as the case of the Plácido Domingo Center for the Improvement of the Arts, which withdrew reference to the singer.

It seemed that this would be the end of his career. But half a year after he took responsability for his actions, he began to give interviews in which he assured that he had never abused anyone nor had he acted with harassing, aggressive or vulgar attitudes. In an interview with La Repubblica he said: "When I found out I had covid, I promised myself that, if I got out alive, I would fight to clear my name". And from then on, he has defended himself. "It wasn't a confession even if it looked like it," he said. "I've never disrespected any woman".

And it seems that he has his following: in Madrid, just as he entered the auditorium, he was greeted with "bravos" by the 1,620 people in the audience. They were also received by the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. And at the end, he recieved a standing ovation.

The networks too have reacted to the concert. Several people have rebelled against the tribute to a self-confessed abuser. For starters, the Minister of Equality, Irene Montero, wondered: "What message it sends to women [who were victims of the singer] and those who are sexually assaulted every day in our country" and who are afraid to denounce for fear of not being believed?

Domingo has not only performed in Madrid, but has also recieved the title of Honorary Ambassador of World Heritage of Spain given to him by the Association for the Dissemination and Promotion of World Heritage of Spain. Today, the singer assured that he was on the verge of tears on many occasions and that he understood the applause as a "Plácido, you are ours".

Plácido Domingo has reactivated his agenda at the age of 80 and will perform in Marbella this August.