Around the Music Festival

European and American media reports on sexual harassment by tenor singer Vittorio Grigolo. The real reason for canceling the last day’s performance at the Royal Opera House in Japan was due to sexual harassment during the performance in Japan.

Grigolo sang in “Faust” at Japan tour. He appeared in performances at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan on 12th, 15th and 18th. However, the Yokohama performance, which was held at Kanagawa Prefectural Hall on the 22nd, withdrawn because of poor physical condition.

According to that reports, Grigolo’s sexual harassment was performed at the performance on September 18 at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. He is said that he touched the female members of the chorus. At this time, he was also protested by other performers on stage. In response to complaints from the victims, the Royal Opera House banned Grigolo from appearing in Yokohama, and suddenly called Georgy Vasiliev into Japan to replace him.

Royal Opera House made a statement after the performance in Japan. Company has already set up an investigative committee for the act and has decided to cancel all of his planned appearances until the findings come out.

Also, following the decision of the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera in New York issued a statement on the 26th that he would postpone his appearance until the survey results came out. Grigolo is scheduled to appear in the “L’Elisir d’Amore” from Milan Scala from 1 October and to “Werther” from the Vienna State Opera from 22 October.

Photo：Royal Opera House　/　Rii Schroer