As of this publishing the AP News has not released the entire interview or video. Therefore we are only quoting based on the small sample that the AP released of the discussion.

In anticipation of his return to the stage in Naples, Italy, Plácido Domingo spoke to the AP News, the newspaper that released accusations of sexual harassment story against the legendary tenor.

Now the tenor is attempting to set the record straight with the paper stating that he never abused his power to take jobs away from anyone.

He told the AP News, “I never promised a part to a singer, or never take a part from a singer. I have spent my whole life helping, and you know, encouraging and driving people.”

“He also noted that responsibilities within opera companies are divided, meaning he never had sole sway over casting decisions.”

According to investigations by the Los Angeles Opera and AGMA, there was no credible evidence of Domingo using his power to take parts away from singers. However, the “AP notes that AGMA found a clear pattern of such abuse, according to people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the findings.”

In an interview for NPR, Patricia Wulf, one of the accusers noted that she did not lose opportunities after she rejected Domingo.

In an article with the Catalan newsite El Periódico, Christina Scheppelmann, who worked closely with Domingo between 2001 and 2012 at the Washington National Opera when she was the company’s artistic director also noted that while Domingo collaborated on casting decisions when they worked together in Washington, she ultimately made the decisions based on professional criteria.

In the interview with the AP News Domingo also noted that he hopes to return to Spain and sing. As for the U.S. the legend noted, “It’s very sad for me not to be able to sing … in the United States. I enjoy it so much,” Domingo said. “For over a half-century … the public has been really, really extraordinary.”