Exclusive: Glyndebourne sacks a conductor

The opera festival has parted company with Gareth Hancock, a member of the music staff, after receiving a complaint, apparently from a singer.

Glyndebourne have issued this statement to Slipped Disc:

Glyndebourne would like to clarify the internal process that led to the conclusion of our professional relationship with Gareth Hancock.

In October 2019, an employee brought a complaint of inappropriate behaviour by Gareth Hancock to Glyndebourne’s HR department, who immediately alerted senior management and launched an internal investigation.

During the investigation, clear evidence of inappropriate behaviour from Gareth Hancock came to light, and Glyndebourne took the decision to withdraw his 2020 contract. No further evidence of similar behaviour towards other employees has come to light..

Glyndebourne regards as our highest priority the safety and right to dignity of all our staff and does not tolerate or condone any behaviour that contravenes our policies and standards. Glyndebourne is a member of the Guardians programme set up by The Old Vic, has a written Dignity at Work policy that is shared with all employees, and a safeguarding policy outlining 10 Principles To Encourage Safer and More Supportive Working Practices in Theatre. Glyndebourne has also undertaken a project in 2019 looking at all aspects of working culture.

Gareth Hancock is also Head of Opera at the Royal Academy of Music and a frequent conductor at UK opera companies. We understand that the complaint concerned a text. No physical act was involved.

We have been unable to contact Mr Hancock.