Response from Mr. Lucien Bouchard, Chair of the Board of Directors, to the testimonies of OSM musicians published in La Presse + and Le Devoir
MONTREAL, Feb. 3, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Mr. Lucien Bouchard, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM), wishes to offer the following statement after today's publication in La Presse + and Le Devoir of testimonies made by musicians who worked with Charles Dutoit during his tenure as the OSM's Music Director:
"We are very compassionate and moved by the suffering expressed in these recently published musicians' testimonies, namely today in LaPresse+ and Le Devoir. They will serve to strengthen the OSM's determination to ensure that the dignity and fundamental rights of its musicians and employees are respected at all times. Current administration has made considerable efforts to provide for a harmonious and collaborative working environment. In this regard, we will persist in taking every means to ensure that the climate of respect that has prevailed since the arrival of Music Director Kent Nagano in 2006 is maintained."
We may recall that Mr. Dutoit was Principal Conductor from 1977 to 2002 and he no longer has any ties with the Orchestra.
On December 23, in the wake of the disclosures about sexual harassment concerning Mr. Dutoit, and the day after OSM administration received a complaint of this nature, the Executive Committee convened an emergency meeting where it was decided that an independent investigation into sexual harassment in the workplace would be opened. This investigation involves not only the alleged victims amongst the current OSM employees, but also among anyone who has worked for the OSM in the past, whether as a musician, contractor, or member of the administrative staff. The mandate of the external investigator is to establish the facts, provide support to alleged victims, and to make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee.
SOURCE Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
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