R. Kelly told a federal judge on Wednesday that he fired two of his defense lawyers, exposing deep rifts in the singer’s legal defense team ahead of his August sex abuse trial in New York.

Kelly confirmed to U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn that he fired Steve Greenberg and Michael Leonard, leaving him with two defense lawyers.

“Is that what your wish is?” Donnelly asked Kelly during a hearing conducted by telephone.

“Absolutely, yes ma’am, your honor,” he responded.

Kelly’s remaining lawyers, Thomas Farinella and Nicole Becker, said they will keep preparing for the scheduled Aug. 9 trial.

The hearing briefly included allegations by Greenberg that unidentified members of the defense team had “documented mental health issues” and “can’t deal with stress.”

Donnelly asked that Greenberg and Leonard explain in writing why they were pulling out. She also said she would not delay the trial, which was originally scheduled for May 2020.

Farinella and Becker could not immediately be reached for comment.

Known for such hits as “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Bump N’ Grind,” Kelly, 54, has faced sexual abuse allegations dating back more than two decades, including in the January 2019 Lifetime documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”

The Grammy Award-winning singer has pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges in cases filed in New York, Illinois and Minnesota, and has been held without bail for nearly two years.

Brooklyn prosecutors accused Kelly of running a criminal scheme in which women and underage girls were recruited to have sexual activity with him.

The Chicago case includes charges that Kelly engaged in sex acts with five minors, and used threats to keep victims quiet.

According to court records, a trial is scheduled for September, but the judge has asked both sides to propose a new date.

Spanish opera star Placido Domingo was honoured with an award at Madrid’s Teatro Real on Thursday, a day after receiving a standing ovation for his first performance in his home country since a union said he had routinely harassed women.

Spain last year cancelled planned performances by Domingo at publicly funded theatres, while the singer pulled out of shows after an investigation by the American Guild of Musical Artists concluded he had behaved inappropriately with female performers.

More than three dozen singers, dancers, musicians, voice teachers and backstage staff said they witnessed or experienced inappropriate behaviour over the last three decades.

U.S. institutions including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the San Francisco Opera cancelled planned engagements with Domingo and he resigned as general director of the Los Angeles Opera.

Domingo has apologised for having made colleagues feel uncomfortable but denies having behaved aggressively or acting to obstruct any fellow performer’s career. No formal charges have been brought against him.

His return to Madrid on Wednesday for a charity concert in aid of the Red Cross drew a huge crowd, including regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso, who said it was a “source of pride” to have the singer back in Spain.

Arriving at the ceremony, in which he was awarded the title of honorary ambassador for world heritage in Spain, Domingo spoke of the pride he felt to be back and the thrill of the previous day’s show.

“I feel great emotion, it’s my city, the great city of Madrid… After singing last night… it was such a special night I feel I have all the strength.”

Fans outside the concert defended Domingo’s legacy.

“We love him and we follow him almost anywhere…. We love him as a person as an artist as a singer,” said Wilda from South Germany, who travels the world attending his concerts.