An internal investigation, launched by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra into allegations of sexual harassment by conductor Charles Dutoit, has now been completed. The investigation began after a swathe of allegations of sexual assault by the conductor emerged in December last year and January this year. Dutoit, who conducted last year’s Pelléas et Mélisande with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in June, was the OSM’s Principal Conductor from 1977 to 2002.

The independent investigator concluded: “For all intents and purposes and within the purview of my investigation, I dealt with two grievances of sexual harassment involving M. Charles Dutoit,” the investigator reported. “I met with and/or contacted the plaintiffs on several occasions. Though the procedure employed was rigorous and conformed to best practices in cases of internal inquiries into sexual harassment, the process did not yield sufficient information in relation to allegations of sexual harassment.”

“In light of the independent expert’s work, the two plaintiffs did not wish to follow up on their grievances and did not consider it opportune to provide formal declarations with respect to these allegations,” a statement from the OSM said. “As a result, the process of inquiry concluded in mid-October.”

“We sincerely empathize with the two...