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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/23/glyndebourne-opera-director-sacked-for-inappropriate-text
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Glyndebourne opera conductor sacked for inappropriate text | Glyndebourne opera conductor sacked for inappropriate text |
| (7 days later) | |
| Dismissal from 2020 festival followed complaint by staff member over behaviour | Dismissal from 2020 festival followed complaint by staff member over behaviour |
| A conductor has been sacked by the UK’s top opera festival after it found “clear evidence of inappropriate behaviour”. | A conductor has been sacked by the UK’s top opera festival after it found “clear evidence of inappropriate behaviour”. |
| Gareth Hancock, 53, was slated to work on Glyndebourne festival’s production of Dialogues des Carmélites next year but his contract for 2020 was withdrawn following an internal investigation after a complaint was brought to its HR department. | |
| Slipped Disc, a classical music blog which first reported the conductor’s dismissal, said the complaint concerned a text message to a singer and that “no physical act was involved”. | Slipped Disc, a classical music blog which first reported the conductor’s dismissal, said the complaint concerned a text message to a singer and that “no physical act was involved”. |
| Hancock, who is also head of opera at the Royal Academy of Music and coaches young singers at the Royal Opera House, is a married father of two. | Hancock, who is also head of opera at the Royal Academy of Music and coaches young singers at the Royal Opera House, is a married father of two. |
| In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “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. | In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “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.” | “During the investigation, clear evidence of inappropriate behaviour from Gareth Hancock came to light, and Glyndebourne took the decision to withdraw his 2020 contract.” |
| The statement said no further evidence of similar behaviour towards other employees had come to light. | The statement said no further evidence of similar behaviour towards other employees had come to light. |
| The statement continued: “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. | The statement continued: “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.” | “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.” |
| A spokesperson for the Royal Academy of Music said it was unable to comment at this time. The Royal Opera House has also been approached for a comment. | A spokesperson for the Royal Academy of Music said it was unable to comment at this time. The Royal Opera House has also been approached for a comment. |
| The Guardian has been unable to contact Hancock. | The Guardian has been unable to contact Hancock. |
| • The headline of this article was amended on 25 November 2019 because an earlier version misdescribed Hancock as a Glyndebourne opera director when the article made clear his role there for 2020 was to be as a conductor. | • The headline of this article was amended on 25 November 2019 because an earlier version misdescribed Hancock as a Glyndebourne opera director when the article made clear his role there for 2020 was to be as a conductor. |