French conductor François-Xavier Roth accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault

French conductor François-Xavier Roth has been accused of sexual harassment by seven musicians, with one woman alleging sexual assault. Reports state Roth sent unwanted messages, including indecent images, to the musicians. A member of the Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra accused Roth of assault in a letter to the orchestra's managing director. Violinist Marie-Annick Nicolas accused Roth of inappropriate behavior, while Laurent Bayle confirmed the city of Paris was informed of allegations in 2019. Roth apologized if he caused harm. Scheduled to conduct at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, he was replaced. Roth, born in 1971, won the Donatella Fricker Conducting Competition in 2000 and served as assistant conductor to John Eliot Gardiner. He founded Les Siècles in 2003 and held various conducting positions.