Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Ends Relationship with Gatti Following Misconduct Allegations

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam has announced that it will end its relationship with chief conductor Daniele Gatti following sexual misconduct allegations against him as detailed in The Washington Post.

The article, published on July 26, detailed allegations against Gatti from two women. The same article quoted a statement via Gatti’s spokesperson, saying “All my life I have always been totally alien to any behavior that may be referred to [by] the term harassment, whether psychological or sexual. Every time I have approached someone, I have always done it fully convinced that the interest was mutual. The facts referred to took place a long time ago, but if I have offended anyone, I sincerely apologize.”

“The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has terminated the cooperation with chief conductor Daniele Gatti with immediate effect,” a statement from the orchestra notes. “On 26 July, the Washington Post published an article in which Gatti was accused of inappropriate behavior. These accusations and Gatti’s reactions with this respect have caused a lot of commotion among both musicians and staff, as well as stakeholders both at home and abroad. Besides this, since the publication of the article in the Washington Post, a number of female colleagues of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra reported experiences with Gatti, which are inappropriate considering his position as chief conductor. This has irreparably damaged the relationship of trust between the orchestra and the chief conductor.”

Since the story was published, Gatti has released an apology for his behavior, according to The Washington Post. The orchestra has also stated that all concerts planned with Gatti will proceed with other conductors.