Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the AGMA Relief Fund has graciously received donations and support from around the world. Thanks to a film Q&A series on Zoom hosted by the Chicago Media Project (CMP), the AGMA Relief Fund will be included in another call for donations. This Friday, April 10, at 6:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. ET.,CMP will present a virtual Q&A and discussion with the minds behind the documentary Bathtubs Over Broadway. Special guests include Dava Whisenant, director; Steve Young, star of the documentary/collector; and Hank Beebe, subject/musical composer. Any donations received during this live stream will go to the AGMA Relief Fund and the Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund. Those interested are encouraged to wa... Read More -->

Bernie Sanders' Campaign recently announced it would rally donors for coronavirus relief. Last week, The AGMA Relief Fund was named in the second wave of the call for donations, among a handful of groups “providing critical support during this crisis.” For seven days, Bernie Sanders supporters were encouraged via text message, email, and social media interaction to contribute what they could, noting that donations (unless the donor stated otherwise) would be divided evenly between The AGMA Relief Fund and nine other charities. Thanks to this effort, The AGMA Relief Fund saw over $181,000 in donations enter the Fund. This influx comes at a time the Fund needs it the most, with the number of requests for assistance in the last two ... Read More -->

Until further notice, AGMA staff will cease commuting into its national headquarters and begin working remotely. AGMA had already paused business travel and implemented other exposure-reducing measures, including cross-training staff and replacing in-person meetings with video conferences. Day-to-day workflow and operations will not be interrupted. As echoed by many organizations across the country and globe, this will greatly minimize exposure and ensure the health and well-being of our staff and members. AGMA will continue to monitor this ongoing, rapidly-developing crisis and make responsible adjustments as needed. ... Read More -->

Joyce DiDonato and Piotr Beczala livestreamed a 90-minute performance from Joyce’s living room yesterday, March 16. The duo was accompanied by Met assistant conductor, Howard Watkins, and principal harp, Emmanuel Ceysson. To help to alleviate the dire financial straits artists now face in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, viewers were encouraged to make donations to the AGMA Relief Fund and Artist Relief Tree. Read the full story on Billboard. AGMA will update this post when the link to the full performance becomes available. Any AGMA member in good standing, or on honorable withdrawal, is entitled and encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the AGMA Relief Fund. Please visit agmarelief.org to begin the... Read More -->

Joyce DiDonato in Agrippina (Marty Sohl / Met Opera) Playbill published a Q&A between recent Grammy-winning AGMA member, Joyce DiDonato, and Matt Dobkin, Creative Director at Metropolitan Opera. “Joyce DiDonato is not only an extraordinary artist, she’s also a killer interview. I’ve interviewed her many times and worked with her on photo shoots and her Live in HD hosting gigs – she is a total dream,” Dobkin told AGMA. DiDonato is currently starring in the first-ever Met production of Agrippina. The new production of Handel's satirical opera by Sir David McVicar runs through this Saturday, March 7. The short interview dives the production from the importance of its score to the ominous parallels between... Read More -->

On Friday, February 28, the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced to its members that formal union disciplinary charges were filed against opera singer Plácido Domingo. This came three days after the Union confirmed its investigation had concluded and had substantiated sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Domingo. “AGMA stands with the brave individuals who came forward and fought against the crisis of sexual harassment that greatly pervades our industries,” said Ray Menard, AGMA President, who filed the charges in his capacity as a member of AGMA. “Given the seriousness of the confirmed allegations, and the number of members who have been affected, I believe the right, and only thing to do at this stage is ... Read More -->

This afternoon, The New York Times published a piece titled “Disclosure of Plácido Domingo Allegations Scuttles $500,000 Deal.” AGMA seeks to clarify the misperceptions of this article and in recent reports by NPR: the anticipated fine, to our knowledge the largest to be imposed on a union member, was NOT in exchange for AGMA’s silence or to make any “secret deal.” The potential fine was part of a series of proposed measures to resolve potential internal union discipline which included: a lengthy suspension; mandatory training/coaching; and a sincere public apology.  In addition to offsetting AGMA’s legal fees incurred in the investigation, the fine was earmarked to support the Union’s ongoing efforts and new initia... Read More -->

NEW YORK CITY - On September 6, 2019, The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced the union had retained an independent investigator to examine allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination made by AGMA members against Plácido Domingo. The investigation concluded that Mr. Domingo had, in fact, engaged in ​inappropriate activity, ranging from flirtation to sexual advances, in and outside of the workplace. Many of the witnesses expressed fear of retaliation in the industry as their reason for not coming forward sooner. The AGMA Board of Governors has accepted the findings of the report and will take appropriate action.  “AGMA is the connective tissue of our industry. We owed it to our members to conduct... Read More -->

Via Playbill Zoe Caldwell, widely known for her work in Master Class and Medea, died on February 16 of complications due to Parkinson’s disease. She was 86 years old. Caldwell joined AGMA in 2004, when she was cast as a lead in the Los Angeles Opera presentation of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. She remained a member until her death. With Kristen Bell in A Little Night Music (2004) According to People Magazine, she moved from her home in Australia to London in 1959 to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. She began her American acting career as an original member of the company at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. Caldwell made her Broadway debut in 1965’s The Devils. She went on to appear in Tenn... Read More -->