7 symphonies oust Dutoit amid assault accusations
San Francisco: Symphonies in Boston, San Francisco and Sydney have severed ties with world- renowned conductor Charles Dutoit.
Classical orchestras in New York, Chicago and Cleveland have announced that he’s withdrawn his services for upcoming concerts. The reaction has been swift in the classical music world following graphic sexual assault accusations made by three opera singers and a classical musician.
As symphonies around the globe reacted to the detailed accounts, accusations surfaced about Dutoit’s decades- long reputation for inappropriate behaviour.
Joe Kluger, former president of The Philadelphia Orchestra from 1989 to 2005, said that Dutoit’s reputation as “extremely flirtatious” was one factor that caused the organisation to pass him over twice for the job of music director during those years.
He said rumors of Dutoit’s “inappropriate behavior with women were common knowledge in the classical music business.” He added: “I do recall telling our staff to be wary around him and encouraged them to report any inappropriate behavior immediately.”
Kluger said he was unaware of any formal complaints filed about Dutoit by musicians or staff members. He said he had never heard that Dutoit had assaulted women. All four accusers said they never filed formal complaints as they were young and Dutoit was the maestro.