John Copley Fired Due To Sexual Misconduct

By Francisco Salazar

The Metropolitan Opera has fired the veteran British stage director John Copley after receiving a complaint about “inappropriate behavior in the rehearsal room.”

According to the New York Times, Copley was directing a revival of his 1990 production of Rossini’s “Semiramide” when a member of the chorus reported that the director made sexually charged remarks in rehearsal.

The Met immediately made a statement noting, “following a complaint from a chorister about inappropriate behavior in the rehearsal room that was received on Monday, Jan. 29, John Copley is no longer directing the revival of ‘Semiramide’ that will open on Feb. 19.”

Copley is the second dismissal from the Metropolitan Opera following an allegation of sexual misconduct. In December, James Levine was fired due to an allegation of sexually abusing a number of young men decades ago while studying under the famed conductor. The dismissal also comes as Hollywood and numerous industries are trying to weed out the abuse of power due to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement.

Copley’s replacement will be announced shortly.

 

 

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