Conductor François-Xavier Roth Withdraws from London Symphony Orchestra Concerts

Following harassment allegations, Roth has withdrawn from concerts with the LSO in the 2024/25 season

French conductor François-Xavier Roth has withdrawn from his engagements with the London Symphony Orchestra for the 2024/25 season. 

In an article published in May 2024, by the French investigative magazine Le Canard enchaîné, sexual harassment allegations were raised against the 52-year-old conductor François-Xavier Roth, who allegedly sent crude text messages to musicians he worked with.

“Due to the release of a news article pointing out that I have sent inappropriate text messages to musicians in the past, the orchestras I lead will be extensively investigating the behavior cited and collecting information on the allegations,” Roth said at the time. “I have decided to stop conducting the Gürzenich Orchestra temporarily in order to permit a peaceful investigation of these matters. I apologize to anyone I may have offended.”

He was scheduled to conduct the LSO in concerts this October — engagements which have since been withdrawn and replaced with a new conductor, Thomas Adès, who will perform alongside violinist Isabelle Faust. 

“The LSO is grateful to Thomas Adès for stepping in to conduct the Barbican concerts on 30 and 31 October,” the orchestra wrote on its website on the change of conductor. “The programmes for these concerts will remain as originally planned.”

Prior to this, Roth had suspended his work with the  Gürzenich Orchestra and Cologne Opera for “the chance [for them] to clarify and address the situation.” Likewise, he was replaced at short notice for an evening performance at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on May 22.

According to the ASB Zeitung, it was disclosed that a separate law firm was hired to look into the allegations against Roth and take legal action if required. 

In May 2024, a representative of Roth told The Violin Channel that there will be no comment made to the press.