In pussy-grabber’s America, what’s the fuss about Domingo?

In pussy-grabber’s America, what’s the fuss about Domingo?

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norman lebrecht

August 13, 2019

The only surprising aspect of today’s sex-pest allegations against Placido Domingo is the lack of surprise.

Within the opera world, women were warned to steer clear of wandering hands, to avoid being alone in an elevator with male stars and maestros. Domingo, if the allegations are true, was by no means the worst offender.

And nobody is accusing him of using physical force, or of abusing his power to humiliate women.

Like President Trump, for instance.

Or Jeffrey Epstein and his pimps.

Domingo, never one to hide behind a bushel, loved being photographed with famous men.

Thankfully, he avoided the worst of them.

Comments

  • anonymous says:

    You left out Prince Andrew. Although you’re right, everything he is being accused of, he is being accused of doing it in America, so that’s ok.

    • sam says:

      The Washington Post published an article about him today. The British tabloids most certainly know a lot more than they are allowed to print even under Britain’s lax libel laws.

      His day too will come. I look forward to the day he is indicted in America, and an extradition request is sent to Scotland Yard, and the Queen telephoning Donald Trump to call in that favor for throwing him that ridiculous state banquet.

      • Dennis says:

        Britain’s libel laws are not “lax”. They are actually more plaintiff-friendly than US libel laws.

        • V.Lind says:

          Absolutely true. Libel tourism has been a mass industry in the UK. Even the 2014 Act does not make the UK as tough as the US.

      • Maria says:

        What are you talking about? Sounds you know more than anyone by the way you’re talking. Go back.in your box.

    • Marshall says:

      Funny how Lebrecht left out one of the worst offenders Bill Clinton-who by today’s standards would have been convicted, or probably never elected president(who also was involved with Epstein)…or JFK, LBJ or most powerful men over a certain age

      • Edgar says:

        Right.

        Yet the US is not the only country where “le droit du seigneur” [ “a supposed legal or customary right of a feudal lord to have sexual relations with a vassal’s bride on her wedding night” – Merriam Webster] keeps being practiced unabated.

      • MacroV says:

        I’m not going to defend Clinton’s behavior generally or his association with Epstein. But so far there is no evidence that Clinton was in any involved with Epstein’s shenanigans; Clinton has pointed out that he was always surrounded by Secret Service.

      • Pat says:

        Clinton was a non womanizer. But those who claimed he was the worst harasser are also known to defend Trump–who is 10x worse. Hypocrites!

  • Disappointed of Surrey says:

    The headline for this item is rather offensive. We know to whom it refers, but it is unnecessarily crass.

    • Brian says:

      While I tend to have quibbles with more than a few of NL’s headlines, I would say that this one is fine, unfortunately quite apt and deliberately provocative. Look at it this way, if you will: It’s the vulgar guy with the orange hair who is crass, among many other adjectives, so I fear that as long as he is president we will simply have to deal with it.

      Pussy-grabbing is now officially sanctioned: A majority voted him in, didn’t they? (Well, not really a majority, but let’s not open that one right now…) And this, of course, stands in stark and rather comical contrast to an at times painfully overcautious political correctness that frankly amuses many Europeans.

    • Tiredofitall says:

      Distasteful as those words remain, nothing will change unless a light is shown on it. For too long society has existed on euphemisms.

    • Gustavo says:

      James Levine and his baton boys may also feel offended.

    • Harrumph says:

      Oh stop being such an old lady.

    • Pat says:

      Trump is offensive. So the title is appropriate.

  • Gustavo says:

    Quite, it is racist to denounce Latin lovers.

    • The View from America says:

      lol

    • Hildegard says:

      Domingo shows himself here to be a remarkable exception to most Spanish men, who contrary to public opinion, could seldom rise to the title of “Latin Lover”. That term must apply to Italians. I think that his international lifestyle helped him break the mold. I give him credit for that.

      Spanish men are generally docile, obedient souls who live at home with their mothers and then become pussy-whipped husbands. When the wife refuses them they frequent “clubs” or whorehouses, which are a thriving industry in Spain. Although it’s a Catholic country, being married never seems to be an issue.

      If these docile married Spanish men (they are ALL married or attached to a “novia” by 30) do venture out seeking non-prostitute affairs, they will often go for ridiculously young, often foreign (foreign women are considered easy) women way out of their league.

      Perhaps it’s the spectre of Catholicism, maybe it’s the lingering influence of Franco, who prohibited open displays of affection publicly and adhered to the “no sex before marriage” credo, but Spanish men are generally scared of their own shadow sexually and terrified of being labeled inappropriate with women they know. Domingo has become the antithesis of the typical Spanish male.

      The sexual culture in Spain and role of the Spanish male are so messed up from Franco or whatever that now we are seeing a new phenomenon which also defies the typical docile Spanish male: “gang bangs” by groups of young Spanish men in cities across the country. Read the recent case of “La manada” in Pamplona or similar cases popping up thruout Spain. These are horrific cases where young women are brutalized and gang raped by groups of upstanding young Spanish men. It’s being explained away by the Spanish judicial system as “boys having fun”.

      These Spanish gang bangers are so screwed up from being tied into the obedient pussy whipped boyfriend or husband roles expected of them in Spain that when they’re out with friends they just cut loose and attack sexually. Sick.

      Something is really really wrong with Spanish men sexually. Yes, much of what I’m declaring is a generalization, but even the irate Spanish men who may be reading this will have to admit that there is truth to it.

      I am actually secretly impressed that Placido Domingo broke away from that sick cycle of Spanish male sexual abnormality and has shown himself overtly as a red-blooded Latin Lover. Yes, it was inappropriate, but he could be the only one in Spain.

      • Harrumph says:

        You haven’t known the Spanish men I’ve known. The problem is clearly with you.

        • Hildegard says:

          And every woman I know? No, darlin’, girls talk. This is common knowledge. You’re either a Spanish man or you were with a South American who told you he was Spanish. Or you’re a very rare exception. They exist.

          Do you think we are inventing “La Manada”? Read this week’s El Pais for the latest developments in Spain’s burgeoning whorehouse industry. Do you see that in any other developed nation? Yeah, I would love to say you’re right, but years of observing this behavior tells me otherwise.

      • Gustavo says:

        Interesting point of view. Thanks. You must be from Spain and rather frustration.

      • The View from America says:

        I see you’ve earned your racial profiling spurs.

      • Tiredofitall says:

        Totally ridiculous posting. Having lived for years in Spain, I guarantee you that your analysis is not only flawed, but more than a little sick. Yes, women talk, and I don’t know one Spanish woman who would agree with your assessment.
        I assume you consider yourself to be from a superior culture. Keep thinking.

        • Hildegard says:

          How the hell would you know? You’re male! And of course Spanish women would disagree – they’re active participants, even propagating this situation!

          “Living in Spain” in no way makes you an expert on this subject. You have no first hand knowledge on this subject so spare us your flawed and pompous judgement.

          • Tiredofitall says:

            Calm down, Hildy. Are you Spanish? Women who don’t agree with you are all active participants? Most of my relatives live in Spain, by the way. Well-educated and rational thinkers.

          • Hildegard says:

            It’s complicated. There are many layers and plenty of goods and bads. For better or worse, it’s just how Spain is. Foreign men, like yourself, are a group that usually functions well in this culture. Unfortunately, it marginalizes others. This group stands on the outside looking in. Understandably, we object when the term “Latin Lover” is used to describe Spanish men. Placido Domingo is the first one I’ve ever heard about!

          • Sarah says:

            Well, better than trying to be an expert from America.

      • Hildegard says:

        How cool is that so many Spanish men and their supporters read Slipped Disc! Was curious how many “thumbs down” they’d give this in their own defense. Fascinating! Thank you, gentlemen!

        As a caveat, I should add that what I’ve described above doesn’t seem to affect gay Spanish men. You don’t see them out gang banging women and frequenting puti clubs. They appear to have risen above the turmoil. Perhaps gay Spanish men are country’s true Latin Lovers!

      • Maria says:

        Thought he was from Mexico?

  • Greg says:

    These allegations are becoming as commonplace as those against pedophiles teaching in English music schools. That said, there is no reason to politicize it – especially when you don’t live in the country you are slamming. Clean your own back yard first. Nobody comes on this forum to hear your political slant.

  • Emil says:

    Ummm…what’s the point of this? He’s not a pedophile, sure. Ten points for him?

    Also, running by your comparison (which I do not endorse), the article sounds a lot like “when you’re a star, you can do anything” to me.

    And are you implying that there has been no outrage about the sexual assaults and harassments by Trump, Epstein, Roy Moore, Harvey Weinstein, etc.? If so, we don’t read the same newspapers.

  • M McAlpine says:

    Do we have to have these dish the dirt headlines? So tiresome! Thought we had left them behind in the school playground.

  • Alan K says:

    The number one WH pussy grabber was a fellow named John F Kennedy. But then again he brought Pablo Casals to perform there. So no problem. This is a great music site but your forays into politics are pretty pathetic and one sided.

    • Brian says:

      Whatever issues JFK had, 60 years ago, are irrelevant. We have a sexual predator in the White House who sets the tone for the country in all its steady decline.

      That said, Domingo and Trump should are both men in positions of high power and should be scrutinized as such.

    • John Marks says:

      My undergraduate degree is in American Civilization; JFK was an area I did a huge amount of reading in. Here are the facts, you can check them out.

      JFK was a middling intellect with decidedly middlebrow tastes: Broadway show hits, and James Bond novels. (Rich-kid JFK’s reputation rests upon the abilities of his paid ghostwriters and speechwriters.)

      JFK had to be told what instrument Casals played. Jackie Kennedy was the one who wanted Casals.

      Upon being told that it had been arranged for JFK to welcome in his office a delegation from the Bolshoi Ballet, his response was, “I don’t want to shake hands with any fairies.”

      And for extra credit: JFK once privately commented that he had no particular interest in space travel–it was all about beating the Russians.

      Ciao,

      JM

    • Pat says:

      No! Everyone with a brain and eyes can see that T*ump is by far the worst grabber who ever sat in the WH.
      But you T* supporters are known to attacked Clinton when he was a grabber, but remain silent when Trump declared to the World in that infamous video…
      Hypocrites!

  • Doug says:

    This story comes to you from Girlfriend Beaters UK.

  • david hilton says:

    The fuss may ultimately be greater in London and internationally, as Mr Domingo continues as Chairman of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, the record industry’s principal public relations and lobbying arm. The next board meeting with the heads of all the major record labels (primarily LA-based) is bound to be interesting.

    • ThrownOutOfTheKremlinForSinging says:

      RE: “The fuss may ultimately be greater in London…”

      Do you mean George London? Oh no, not him too!

  • Robert Groen says:

    “Domingo, …
    bla, bla, bla.., loved being photographed with famous men.”

    What, men more famous than he?

  • Guest says:

    Shame on you, Norman, for belittling these accusations in such a way. Why make this political? For the attention? Why rush to “lessen the blow” against Placido? Simply because of his fame? It doesn’t make any of this excusable.

    Think about the women who have been suffering enough to come forward and who continue to do so, never once thinking; “Well, at least it wasnt Trump.”

    Shame. On. You.

  • “And nobody is accusing him of using physical force, or of abusing his power to humiliate women.”

    According to the AP article that broke the story, the above statement is untrue. Numerous witnesses note that he offered advantages to women who submitted, and blackballed those who didn’t–clearly an abuse of power and a source of humiliation. Most of the women are afraid to have their names listed for fear of retaliation–a measure of where the classical music world still stands.

    https://www.apnews.com/c2d51d690d004992b8cfba3bad827ae9?fbclid=IwAR1VWHeGrf_y9IguipFkrCkHQuS2oNbNNdtwEnIObaHAKUCAWI4WXrXcoA8

    • guest says:

      the mezzo is clearly complaining because her career didn’t advance after she had sex with him twice. no use of force is even suggested.

  • Stuart says:

    somehow your rationalization isn’t comforting, nor very objective. Domingo, if the allegations are true, was by no means the worst offender.” If the allegations are true, he is still an offender, no? There may be little light between offender and worst offender…

  • Edgar Self says:

    Language, please. Has Randy Andy done something to frighten the horses? This isn’t the temporary presidentr’s message board, not yet.

  • Stephen says:

    Really Norman? Why are you trying to justify this abuse?

    You’re spinning like Kellyann Conway.

  • Patrick says:

    Ma in L.A. son già mille e tre….

  • Dennis says:

    Enough of this trend of trying to ruin people’s lives with stale charges stemming from 20+ years ago continues. If the person making the allegation didn’t feel it was serious enough to bring charges at the time, then sorry, it’s too late.

  • Karl says:

    It’s easy to diagnose TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) in people when they think telling a dirty joke is an admission of assault.

  • Kolb Slaw says:

    What a trashy commentary. Totally unnecessary. Another great man being taken down by a coven of women. Yes, there is something wrong with that.

  • Robert Scott says:

    I agree with you, Norman. If we let the President get away with it why should we pick on the rest of these? Special privledge, ya’ think?

  • Greg Bottini says:

    Norman,
    I heartily resent your “Pussy-Grabber’s America” headline.
    Trump was voted down by a solid majority of us Americans, and only because of our antiquated electoral college system – and the shameful SCOTUS’ Citizen’s United ruling – did he attain office.
    Everyone I know is horrified by Trump, by his cronies, and by these Epstein criminal activities.
    Let’s not forget that your own Prince Andrew was implicated in the Epstein scandal. I did not see any “Underage child-diddler’s England” headline.
    I would wish sincerely for a return to civility in this blog.
    Please.

  • Sue Sonata Form says:

    A great deal of prurient interest in these things? Titillating too, I’m betting. Get a life, folks.

  • Gigi says:

    No rape, no drugs, no pedophilia, no minors; no use of force or evidence of any vindictive behavior, just one name, how much flirting? How much opportunism?

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