Exclusive: Royal Academy of Music suspends head of opera

A message went out a few minutes ago from the principal of the Royal Academy of Music, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, announcing the immediate suspension of Gareth Hancock.

Hancock, who was sacked by Glyndebourne last week after a complaint of inappropriate texting by a singer he was coaching, is Head of Royal Academy Opera, a senior and vital position.

Sources tell us he had been on a warning over similar conduct in the past year.

Nobody at the RAM was available for comment, but we’ve received several leaks of the principal’s email.

It reads:

Dear Staff and Students

As of this morning, Gareth Hancock is suspended from the Royal Academy of Music.

Jonathan Freeman-Attwood.

We asked the RAM to clarify. The reply? ‘The Academy has no further comment at this time.’