Mexico finally sheds its troublesome music director
mainEnrique Batiz, who has been accused of verbal sexual abuse of his musicians and is under investigation for sexual violence against a Swiss violinist, is no longer music director of the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra.
He has been replaced by Rodrigo Macias.
But there is an outcry that Batiz, 75, will be known as Emeritus while the rape allegation is being investigated.
Latest here.
‘But there is an outcry that Batiz, 75, will be known as Emeritus while the rape allegation is being investigated.’
Presumptions of innocence apply. The orchestra will need to strip him of this title pdq if and when he’s found guilty.
The presumption of innocence is a right under criminal law; the bestowal of a title is an honor under local customs and culture.
Withholding or withdrawing the latter has nothing to do with the former.
By the way, even as a legal concept, the “presumption of innocence” is a new concept in Mexican law, having been implemented only in 2016. Historically, Mexican and much of Latin American law followed the Napoleonic Code and the inquisitorial system rather than English common law and its presumption of innocence that many, but far from all, countries in the world follow.
This first-person article, available online for years, gives us a telling “picture of the Maestro” and of the general workplace atmospherics within the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Mexico. It’s an entertaining read, and it makes it pretty plain that the allegations against Enrique Bátiz Campbell aren’t delusional.
https://www.forrestsmusic.com/detail/X-936.pdf
I always wondered why Batiz was mooted as first music director of the NZSO in 2000 and was then suddenly replaced by James Judd! He must have a history!