Renowned conductor Charles Dutoit has denied serious accusations of sexual misconduct that have caused major symphonies in Europe, Australia and the United States to suspend relationships with him.
Dutoit's office issued a statement on Saturday saying the allegations "have absolutely no basis in truth" and vowed to mount a meaningful defence.
The Associated Press reported earlier this week that three singers and a musician had accused him of sexual assault.
His first response to the allegations was defiant.
"The allegations made against me are as shocking to me as they are to my friends and colleagues. I do not recognise the man or the actions being described in the media," he said in a statement emailed to the Associated Press.
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"Whilst informal physical contact is commonplace in the arts world as a mutual gesture of friendship, the serious accusations made involving coercion and forced physical contact have absolutely no basis in truth. I am taking legal advice and plan to meaningfully defend myself and I believe within this current climate, media accusations on serious physical abuse do not help society tackle these issues properly if the claims are in fact not true."
The 81-year-old Dutoit is artistic director and principal conductor at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. The orchestra said on Friday it had jointly decided with Dutoit to relieve him of upcoming concert obligations.
The Philadelphia Orchestra, where Dutoit was its chief conductor from 2008-12, later on Friday also cut ties with him and said in a statement it has removed Dutoit's title of conductor laureate following the allegations of sexual misconduct.
It brought to eight the number of major symphonies that have ended long relationships with Dutoit since Thursday.
The Sydney, Boston and San Francisco symphonies also announced they were cutting ties with Dutoit, citing the "serious nature of the allegations" detailed by the AP.
Meanwhile, orchestras in New York, Chicago and Cleveland quickly released statements saying that Dutoit has withdrawn his services for upcoming concerts.
