Mark Swed: What sexual harassment allegations against Placido Domingo could mean for opera culture

Placido Domingo last appeared in Los Angeles in May, adding his 151st role as an opera singer, the "wildcat." The titular fugitive in the zarzuela, "El Gato Montes" is fatally persistent in his love for a former girlfriend he returns to reclaim from her now-bullfighter fiance after many years. This is a Spanish operetta Domingo had first appeared in 65 years earlier at 13 in his parents' Mexico City company as the bullfighter, making the two roles bookends to an illustrious career.

But with the Associated Press publishing accusations from eight singers and one dancer of Domingo being relentless in pursuing them with unwanted sexual advances, it all appears far too personal.

The outcome is far from certain. Domingo has