Oboist not bullied by conductor Carlo Rizzi, tribunal rules

A musician who claimed he was bullied by a renowned conductor today lost his case of unfair dismissal against the Welsh National Opera. Principal oboist Murray Johnston, 61, alleged he was "victimised, bullied, harassed and intimidated" by the opera's then music director Carlo Rizzi. But the tribunal in Cardiff unanimously ruled that Johnston was fairly dismissed because his playing standards had dropped. The orchestra's managing director, Peter Bellingham, said after the ruling: "The decision to dismiss Mr Johnston was taken after genuine concerns about his playing were raised by Carlo Rizzi. "We had no option but to dismiss Mr Johnston in order to protect the reputation and high artistic standards of the company."