new accusations against a lyrical singing teacher in Marseille, already targeted by complaints for sexual assault and rape

In Marseille, is the Music Conservatory trying to protect a lyrical singing teacher? This is what several students think while this teacher is already the target of three complaints for sexual assault and rape. An investigation has been open since last September. After a brief suspension, the professor in question continues to teach.

In November, a first-year student also objected to his teaching techniques. He went to disciplinary council on Wednesday March 13 for verbal assault on his lyrical singing teacher. He was finally released and for him, “this is the first time that the students’ words have been heard”.

Sexualized climate

Gabriel*, a 19-year-old student in his first year at the Pierre-Barbizet Conservatory in Marseille, also attended the classes of the teacher already in question. When he starts going to his class in the first term, he says to himself “shocked” by the sexualized climate maintained by his teacher.

“She told us: ‘you’ll see, I talk a lot making dirty allusions’ or ‘the sound, it has to come out of your ass'”.

Gabriel also claims to have had “allusions to [s]we waist size“, he who has a thin waist. He also criticizes the teacher for a vocal technique that is harmful to his own vocal cords.

Aware of the accusations of sexual assault and rape brought against the lyric singer, the student decides to react “so as not to let its influence gradually become established”. At the end of November, he chose to no longer attend his classes and to open up about it to his administration. She doesn’t react.

“A first victory”

In mid-February, an altercation between Gabriel and the teacher took place, each accusing the other of verbal aggression, until the student was summoned to a disciplinary council on Wednesday March 13. For him, “the message is: anyone who attacks this professor and the Conservatory will go to the disciplinary council”. He is finally relaxed. For him, “this is a first victory for the victims of these teachers who abuse their students, of all these people who use and abuse their power”.

Gabriel’s lawyer, who also defends the three plaintiffs, is delighted that the student escapes sanctions. But for Me Armand Feste-Guidon, “we are in the anti #MeToo, the anti Judith Godrèche”, with the Conservatory not suspending the opera singer despite the accusations against her. The investigation is ongoing and there is no “of evidence at this stage”, replies the Conservatory’s lawyer. In the meantime, Gabriel is taking his lyrical singing lessons with a private teacher, outside the Conservatory.

*The first name has been changed.