San Francisco Symphony Axes Conductor Charles Dutoit Amid Assault Claims

The San Francisco Symphony severed ties with renowned conductor Charles Dutoit on Thursday following allegations of sexual misconduct. The symphony issued a statement citing the “serious nature” of the allegations against Dutoit and the symphony’s “strong commitment to a zero-tolerance policy” as the reason for its decision. Earlier Thursday, three opera singers and a classical musician told the Associated Press that Dutoit sexually assaulted them in incidents between 1985 and 2010. The conductor was accused of physically restraining and forcing himself on the women in a moving car, an elevator, and the backstage of a concert. Dutoit has yet to offer public comment, but the New York Philharmonic said he has withdrawn from several concerts scheduled for January. The Boston Symphony Orchestra also announced it was cutting ties with Dutoit over the “extremely troubling allegations.”