Montreal orchestra opens sex harassment probe into Dutoit

MONTREAL: The Montreal Symphony Orchestra on Sunday said it was launching an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against renowned conductor Charles Dutoit.

The inquiry into the 81-yearold Swiss maestro’s behaviour came a day after a female musician from the Montreal orchestra lodged a complaint, the organisation said.

“In the wake of revelations made against Charles Dutoit, the executive committee of the MSO decided today to take steps to verify the reports of sexual harassment within its company,” it said in a statement. Denies charges

It said it had entrusted the inquiry to an independent third party which would have a mandate to “establish the relevant facts by meeting the person who made the complaint and any other person who may be called upon.”

It will “give appropriate support to anyone who needs it” and also “make appropriate recommendations to the executive committee” of the orchestra.

Dutoit, who was the artistic director of the Montreal orchestra for 25 years, between 1977 and 2002, has adamantly denied the charges.

“The allegations made against me are as shocking to me as they are to my friends and colleagues. I do not recognise the man or the actions being described in the media,” he said in a statement on Saturday. — AFP