The Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO) said an independent inquiry into complaints of sexual assault by the celebrated maestro hadn’t found sufficient evidence.
The investigation, underway since last December, was officially closed in mid-October, according to a statement published on Tuesday.
Four women – three opera singers and a musician – complained that Dutoit had imposed unwanted physical contact on them. The alleged incidents occurred between 1985 and 2010 in several American cities.
The 82-year-old Dutoit, who led the MSO for 25 years until 2002, had a reputation as a “tyrant” and was feared for this “mental cruelty”, according to reports in the Canadian press.
He has conducted many orchestras in Switzerland and abroad and won several international awards. In September, he was named principal guest conductor of the St Petersburg Philharmonic for the 2018-2019 season.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Switzerland wants to examine cooperation with the EU in the defence sector
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The Federal Council wants to examine a security and defence partnership with the EU. Exploratory talks are to begin as soon as possible. Among other things, the partnership would be used for defence procurement.
Swiss trial shows organic farming is 85% as productive as conventional agriculture
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This is shown by the results of a globally unique open-air trial that has been running for 47 years in Therwil in the canton of Basel-Landschaft.
Nestlé fined by Swiss canton for illegally filtered water
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Nestlé has been fined CHF 500,000 in the canton of Vaud for the unauthorised use of activated carbon filters in the production of mineral water. The filters were used to produce Henniez water from 2008 to 2022.
Swiss government proposes restrictions on Ukrainian refugees
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Only those whose life and limb are at risk in Ukraine and who flee to Switzerland are to be granted S status in future. The remaining Ukrainian refugees should apply for asylum. This is what the Federal Council is proposing.
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The Fribourg parliament approved a sum of CHF6.4 million to renovate the ramparts, the walkway and the towers, as well as to replace the exterior lighting.
Swiss rental housing listings increase for the first time in three years
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For the first time in three years, the number of advertisements for rental accommodation is on the rise, but this does not dampen demand, quite the contrary. In Ticino, the average duration of an advertisement published on the main portals is 30 days.
Switzerland doing relatively well when it comes to child vaccination rates
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Progress in child immunisation has stalled. For decades, the number of children vaccinated against measles, polio and other diseases has risen. But since 2010, vaccination rates have stagnated in many countries, according to a study.
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Dismissed Swiss conductor denies sexual assault claims
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“They are shocking not only to me but also to my friends and colleagues. I do not recognise the actions described,” the 81-year-old told the Associated Press news agency by email on Saturday. He added that informal, physical contact is common in the entertainment industry but denied accusations of coercion. He said he will be contacting…
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The decision was communicated by the RPO on Wednesday following an emergency meeting of the board and “further dialogue” with the Swiss conductor. Dutoit, 81, had already announced in June 2017 that he would vacate his post in October 2019. “Whilst Mr Dutoit continues to seek legal counsel to defend himself, the protracted uncertainty and…
‘We live in an information society, not a society of culture’
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Charles Dutoit rarely gives interviews. But on the occasion of his 80th birthday, the Grammy-winner opened up about his 55-year career.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.