Opera to investigate claim of sex abuse

New York’s Metropolitan Opera will open investigation into allegations its longtime conductor, James Levine, sexually abused a man three decades ago beginning when the man was a teenager.

Levine’s accuser contacted the police department in Illinois in October last year to say he had sexual contact with the conductor when he was under age 18.

Mr Levine, 74, was music director at the Met for 40 years before retiring for health reasons in 2016.

Met officials said they learned of the police report last year.

“This first came to the Met’s attention when the Illinois police investigation was opened in October 2016,” the Met said in a statement.

“At the time, Mr Levine said the charges were completely false, and we relied upon the further investigation of the police.

“We need to determine if these charges are true and, if they are, take appropriate action. We’ll now be conducting our own investigation with outside resources.”