Cellist Jean Halsdorf has been placed on gardening leave while the public prosecutor’s office investigates his case
A report from the Luxemburger Wort has noted that Jean Halsdorf, the director of Luxembourg’s Escher Conservatoire, has been placed on leave following accusations of misconduct.
The Conservatoire sent out a letter to the parents of its students, stating that allegations have been made against a member of staff that could have legal or administrative consequences.
Christian Weis, the mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette, has confirmed that the Schöffenrat (body of senior council members) received a letter from an employee of the conservatoire that contained concrete accusations of misconduct against Halsdorf on Monday, June 30. Weis noted that while Halsdorf has been accused of such behavior in the past, the letter marks the first occasion where solid evidence has been presented.
The city’s college of aldermen have since begun the procedure to suspend Halsdorf, and have forwarded the letter of evidence to both the police and the public prosecutor’s office. In addition, the municipality has initiated the suspension process with the government’s committee for disciplinary intervention.
The suspension process takes a substantial amount of time, and during this period Halsdorf will stay on gardening leave. He will continue to receive his full salary during this time.
A past student of Ivan Monighetti, Halsdorf has previously been principal cello of the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada and Music Director of the Ensemble de la Chapelle Saint-Marc. He teaches cello and chamber music at the Escher Conservatoire, and was appointed its Director in 2022.
PC: Pierre Matgé