Doubts are cast on New York Post allegations

Dozens of New York musicians have contacted Slipped Disc to argue that the allegations of sexual abuse against the Met staff conductor Joseph Colaneri are unfounded.

They say the lone complainant is a musician with a history of making unfounded accusations against her colleagues and pursuing them with hoaxes. She has also been involved in social media storms. Her claims to the New York Post were not independently verified. No other person has come forward with a claim against Colaneri.

The conductor has made the following statement: ‘Truth and integrity are core values by which I live. The allegations which were made against me in the New York Post article of December 17, 2017, are categorically false and completely unfounded. This has been a devastating experience for me and my family.’

Unlike James Levine, who has been accused of several offences, Colaneri has not been suspended by the Metropolitan Opera, or by Glimmerglass Opera where he is artistic director.

Mannes College of Music has issued an interim refutation of the claim that Colaneri used his influence recently to get the complainant fired. It said: ‘Based on our initial review of the facts, Mr. Colaneri had no involvement in the decision to terminate her employment. She was fired for multiple violations of university policy regarding her conduct involving students.’

On this basis, we believe the accusations against Colaneri must be regarded as dubious.