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Peggy McGlone
Reporter covering the arts in the Washington area
The Cleveland Orchestra announced Saturday that it had suspended its main trombonist as part of an ongoing investigation into sexual harassment that had been triggered by a July 26 Washington Post report.
The Cleveland Orchestra's principal trombonist, Massimo La Rosa, was suspended as part of a sexual harassment investigation. (The Cleveland Orchestra / Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
Massimo La Rosa, 43, who joined the orchestra in 2007, is the second musician that the orchestra has suspended. William Preucil, the solo violin, was suspended in July, immediately after The Post's story alleged that he had attacked and made passes with students.
A statement from the orchestra announcing the suspension did not specify the nature of the claims against La Rosa. according to A 2013 article in Inside Higher Ed, a report was filed against La Rosa with the police from the University of Iowa in 2011, but the plaintiff decided not to pursue the criminal charges. In December, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, La Rosa filed a lawsuit accusing two people of defamation for allegedly "committing and committing a criminal offense for multiple sexual assaults on many university campuses." [where La Rosa] had been invited to serve as a guest instructor. The orchestra did not specify whether the current suspension was related to identical or similar allegations.
[Classical musicians reveal a profession rife with harassment.]
Since August, the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton has undertaken "a complete independent investigation into cases of sexual misconduct and related problems within the orchestra," says the release of the orchestra.
Immediately following the publication of the Post article, the Cleveland Orchestra Board of Directors set up a committee to oversee the investigation process. "We are committed to conducting a thorough and thorough study to ensure that the Cleveland Orchestra is able to provide a safe and professional working environment," said David J. Hooker, a member of the committee.
Preucil remains in suspension. For the opening concerts of the orchestra on Thursday and next Saturday, Peter Otto, the first solo violin assistant, will take the solo violin chair.
La Rosa could not be contacted for comment.
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