Four women accuse famed conductor of sexual misconduct

San Francisco — Three opera singers and a classical musician say that world-renowned conductor Charles Dutoit sexually assaulted them on the sidelines of rehearsals and performances in five US cities.

The women told The Associated Press that Dutoit physically restrained them, sometimes thrust his tongue into their mouths, and in one case stuck one of their hands down his pants.

The four women say the incidents occurred between 1985 and 2010 in Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Saratoga Springs, New York.

The 81-year-old Dutoit did not respond to multiple attempts seeking comment.

Dutoit is artistic director and principal conductor of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has led orchestras in Philadelphia, Paris, Montreal and Tokyo and traveled widelyglobe as a guest conductor. He is scheduled to conduct the New York Philharmonic next month.

Associated Press