Charles Dutoit, the Grammy-winning conductor with whom at least seven orchestras have severed ties following allegations of sexual assault and harassment, has now been released early from his post as artistic director and principal conductor of London's Royal Philharmonic.
The orchestra announced the news Wednesday on its website, noting that instead of stepping down in October 2019, as had been planned, Dutoit's departure would be immediate.
AP: 6 more women accuse maestro Dutoit, including 1 rape
"This decision has been made following allegations of inappropriate conduct by Mr. Dutoit, which were first reported on 21 December 2017. Whilst Mr. Dutoit continues to seek legal counsel to defend himself, the protracted uncertainty and media reporting makes Mr. Dutoit's position with the Orchestra untenable," the orchestra said in a statement.
Last month, the Associated Press reported allegations against the 81-year-old conductor by four women, including Grammy-winning soprano Sylvia McNair, accusing Dutoit of misconduct over a period of 25 years, from 1985 to 2010. The women's stories were corroborated to the AP by friends and colleagues. Dutoit, via a statement from his office, has denied the accusations.
So far, the major symphony orchestras of Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Cleveland and Sydney, Australia have broken relations with the conductor in varying degrees.
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra, which Dutoit led for nearly 25 years, has launched a sexual harassment investigation. Dutoit abruptly quit the Canadian orchestra in 2002, after musicians issued a letter via their union accusing the conductor of being a "tyrant" and humiliating musicians with "verbal and psychological abuse." Fourteen years passed before Dutoit returned to lead the orchestra as a guest conductor.
As more orchestras distance themselves from Dutoit, who was once considered a top conductor worldwide, Japan's NHK Symphony may be the only welcoming organization remaining. Dutoit is still listed as Music Director Emeritus on the orchestra's website.
Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit npr.org.
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