RPO conductor denies assaults
THE Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s principal conductor has resigned amid allegations of sexual assault.
World-renowned Charles Dutoit, also the RPO’s artistic director, had been due to leave in October 2019.
The London-based orchestra said an emergency meeting advanced the date after his position became “untenable”. It said the decision was taken alongside Mr Dutoit and follows “claims of inappropriate conduct by him, first reported on December 21, 2017”. He will be replaced by “distinguished guest conductors”.
The Swiss maestro, 81, denies allegations by four women that he forced himself on them. It is reported that he attacked three opera singers and a musician in five US cities between 1985 and 2010.
Locations allegedly include his dressing room and hotel. He said the claims have “no basis in truth”.