François-Xavier Roth involved

“It’s a cyclone coming in front of us,” he said French Music the chief emissary of the Les Siècles orchestra, Enrique Thérain. Since yesterday’s publication of the article from Duck chained, the music world is shaken by a new “affair”: according to the weekly, the French conductor François-Xavier Roth has an annoying habit of “sending photos of his machine to his musicians” via SMS. Journalists Fanny Ruz-Guindos and Emmanuel Savoye actually “collected seven testimonies of women and men who were recipients of these unwanted messages”. “Generally,” our colleagues write, “everything starts harmlessly: a small flattering text message sent to the instrumentalist after the concert, late at night.” If she has the misfortune to reply, and the messages become more urgent, enriched with hearts and kiss emoticons (…) After a few words (…) the unfortunate people end up getting “mmmmhhh” and “all stretched out towards you” (…) The last step is a photo of his genitals. »

Immediate consequences

Contacted A chained duckFrançois-Xavier Roth “decided to keep a low profile:”I happened to have intimate conversations over the phone. If I went too far, I apologize to those I may have offended.” » The consequences were not long in coming: when he was to conduct Les Siècles last night during the “Ravel and Spain” concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the website of the hall and the program distributed to the audience announced that “François-Xavier Roth replaces Adrien Perruchon”. France Musique reveals that “the publication of this article, a few hours before the concert, caused a spark”very strong emotions“in the ranks of the orchestra and administrative team” and that a “cell for active support” was created.

Certainly, François-Xavier Roth was not guilty of any physical violence and no charges were brought against him. But according to duck chained, “Besides its sexual nature, spam is an abuse of power, it is not in the interest of any musician to condemn the system that feeds him. Even worse: for fear of losing their jobs, victims feel obliged to “play the game”. » The newspaper states that “within Les Siècles, as in all intermittent orchestras, the musicians are subject to the good will of their conductor. » The claim refuted by the general delegate, quoted by France Musique: “musicians have the status of members.” Orchestra members are proposed by the musicians themselves and must be unanimously accepted by all musicians in the orchestra with veto power for all. In the history of the Orchestra, there were only three dismissals and François-Xavier Roth never fired anyone. This is not possible in the structure. »

Maestro and La Maestra

Always according to Duck chained, the management of the Philharmonie de Paris would have been informed in 2019 of the problematic behavior of François-Xavier Roth. But then why did he remain a regular guest at the La Villette establishment? Looking back, it seems ridiculous to say the least that in 2020 he was part of the selection committee for the first La Maestra competition, organized at the Philharmonic to promote female conducting talent.

In addition to his activity within Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth has been working since 2015. General Music Director from the city of Cologne, conducting especially the Gürzenich Orchestra; he is also principal guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Atelier lyrique de Tourcoing. He must too assumes the duties of conductor of the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (SWR) starting from the 2025-2026 season. Will these institutions be forced to reconsider their partnership with the French chef? ?

According to the German site BR Klassik, SWR has already stated “that the remarks concerning the conductor will be investigated and taken seriously”. The manager of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, which Roth regularly conducts, also told the same media outlet: “The allegations against François-Xavier Roth are serious and force us to re-examine a partnership that until now – artistically and humanly – has been characterized by mutual respect and admiration.” So it will continue.