Names and faces

The career of world-renowned conductor Charles Dutoit has come crashing down in the wake of sexual assault accusations by three singers and a musician. Symphonies from Boston to Sydney have severed ties with the maestro, and he has canceled guest appearances with several major orchestras. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, where the 81-year-old Dutoit is artistic director and principal conductor, issued a statement early Friday saying the symphony and Dutoit “have jointly agreed to release him from his forthcoming concert obligations with the orchestra for the immediate future.” In interviews, the four women said Dutoit attacked them on the sidelines of rehearsals and performances with orchestras in five cities between 1985 and 2010. All four said they never filed formal complaints because they were young and Dutoit was the maestro; they figured they would lose their jobs, not him. The Royal Philharmonic statement said the facts should be determined by a legal process and that Dutoit “needs to be given a fair opportunity to seek legal advice and contest these allegations.” Meanwhile, orchestras in New York, Chicago and Cleveland announced that Dutoit has withdrawn his services for forthcoming concerts. And, the San Francisco Symphony cut ties with Dutoit, citing the “serious nature of the allegations.” Aside from the statements attributed to Dutoit about his voluntary withdrawals, the conductor has remained silent about the accusations.

For Jack in the Box Inc., the warm smell of marijuana is rising in the air. As California prepares for legal recreational pot on Jan. 1, the fast-food chain is partnering with a digital media company backed by rapper Snoop Dogg on a new “munchie” meal aimed at cannabis enthusiasts. While marijuana’s connection to fast food is well-established, Jack in the Box will become the first national chain to explicitly embrace the drug. The “Merry Munchie Meal,” which will be available at three California locations for a week in January for $4.20, features two tacos, french fries, onion rings, five mini churros, three chicken strips and a small drink. The price isn’t random: The number 420 is used as a code by pot enthusiasts. Jack in the Box, with more than 2,200 restaurants, has struggled amid intense competition from a resurgent McDonald’s and its chief burger rivals, Burger King and Wendy’s. Earlier this month, the San Diego-based company agreed to sell its Qdoba chain to the private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC. Legal weed may be just the thing to help regain some buzz. “We are about welcoming all of our guests, no matter what they’re craving or why they’re craving it,” said Iwona Alter, the chain’s chief marketing officer.