Conductor scandal: Roth's contract in Cologne canceled!

Conductor scandal: Roth's contract in Cologne canceled!

The renowned French conductor François-Xavier Roth, who was until recently the general music director of the city of Cologne, is facing far-reaching consequences after serious allegations of sexual harassment. In May 2024 the magazine published Le Canard enchaîné It came to light that Roth is said to have sent unsolicited intimate messages and photos to female musicians. This led to a public outcry and an early termination of its cooperation with the city of Cologne, which took place by mutual agreement on June 30, as the city of Cologne announced. Roth received a severance payment of around 200,000 euros Review online reported.

The Cologne public prosecutor's office has now closed the investigation against Roth because it did not find sufficient suspicion. This decision was made in connection with the termination of his employment contract, which also eliminated the legal basis for further remedial measures, according to Stefan Englert, the managing director of the Gürzenich Orchestra. Roth, who has previously admitted to having made “mistakes” in dealing with female musicians in the past, will still take up his position as designated chief conductor of the SWR Symphony Orchestra at the beginning of the 2025/2026 season. The SWR had commissioned an internal audit committee that found no complaints against Roth, which underlines the circumstances of his future employment, even if there was criticism from the musicians. Roth was chief conductor of the SWR Symphony Orchestra from 2011 to 2016, and it will be interesting to see how his return will develop in the context of the current events BR Classic highlights.

The background to the Roth case

The allegations against Roth are a direct result of the #MeToo debate that is sweeping across the cultural sector. Roth's behavior not only called into question his career in Cologne, but also his relationship with other musical institutions. During further investigation by an external law firm, it will now be examined whether and where the internal complaint processes need to be improved. This ongoing analysis aims to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future. Meanwhile, the Gürzenich Orchestra plans to hire additional conductors for its upcoming concerts, with the opening concert already scheduled for September with Lorenzo Viotti.