A story published by French investigative magazine Le Canard enchaîné (and later in VAN Magazine) alleges that conductor François-Xavier Roth engaged in sexual harassment, including sending unsolicited explicit messages to musicians. The investigation, which includes corroborating text messages and photos, adds to the broader #MeToo movement in France, highlighting pervasive issues of sexual harassment within the classical music industry.
Why it matters:
- A career now in question: These allegations against Roth, whose star has been fast rising internationally and within the historically informed performance community, could significantly impact his career and the institutions he is associated with, raising questions about accountability in the arts.
- France’s #MeToo: The story underscores the broader #MeToo reckoning in France, extending the conversation about sexual harassment beyond the film industry to other professional fields, promoting a wider cultural shift towards addressing and preventing misconduct.
