Charles Dutoit Hired For Substitute Gig At National Orchestra Of France, And Controversy Ensues

The Swiss conductor lost his various positions during the winter of 2017-18, after several women came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment and assault. Now the Orchestre national de France has engaged him for this weekend’s concert performance of Berlioz’s Damnation of Faust after scheduled conductor Emmanuel Krivine withdrew on short notice. It’s Dutoit’s highest-profile performance (outside of Russia) since the scandal broke, and there has been pushback on the decision to hire him. — AP