It is a terrible false note within one of the most prestigious choirs in France: The director of the Mastery of Hauts-de-SeineGaël Darchen, is the subject of numerous testimonies and several complaints (filed in February and June) for sexual assault, sexual and moral harassment, Radio France reports.
Five complaints have been filed, all by “adult women (at the time of the alleged events)”, against Gaël Darchen, 54 years old and in office since 1999, according to information dated Tuesday, July 9, 2024. They denounce facts that could characterize sexual and moral harassment and sexual assault, for one of them.
“Constant sexual harassment”
In addition, 25 other testimonies, notably from former members of the Hauts-de-Seine Maîtrise, describe “constant sexual harassment, kisses on the neck, hands around the waist, remarks about physical appearance and ambiguous propositions, lingering glances, sometimes at very young students.”
Some testimonies point to a climate of “closed vacuum” in the premises based at the Seine Musicale, in Boulogne-Billancourt. A former member of the Maîtrise thus evokes the “incestuous” relationship maintained by the director of the choir, who often said to his students “I am like a second father to you”.
Burnout and PTSD
A behavior which would have caused, according to her, “depressions, serial burn-outs, post-traumatic stress syndrome, definitive abandonment of singing.”
Our “Sexual Assaults” file
Contacted, the management of the Hauts-de-Seine Mastery and Gaël Darchen assure that they are not aware of such complaints. On the other hand, the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office has confirmed at Radio France the opening of a preliminary investigation.