Former Santa Fe Opera conductor linked to Epstein

Numerous emails link the former chief conductor of the Santa Fe Opera to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to files recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice.

In emails, world-renowned French composer Frédéric Chaslin mocked the #MeToo movement, commented on Epstein’s “many pretty assistants” and arranged a meeting for the now-disgraced financier with a young woman while he visited Paris.

“I found a great girl for your next stay in Paris,” Chaslin wrote in a 2013 email. “Student in philosophy. 21. Looks a little like Roman Polanski's current wife.”

In a statement posted on social media, Chaslin denied that he arranged a sexual encounter and said that the woman was to be Epstein’s translator.

“This phrase could be interpreted in many different ways, but we are now in a moment where this overinterpretation has driven a divorce of reality,” Chaslin wrote in French.

Chaslin also stated that as a French speaker, he did not understand the implications of his description in English.

Although Chaslin said he knew nothing about Epstein's sex crimes, the pair met two years after Epstein was convicted on child prostitution charges in Florida in 2008. Epstein served nights in jail for 13 months and was released in July 2009, approximately a year before he met Chaslin. 

Chaslin’s name appears nearly 400 times in the Epstein files, although many of the documents are duplicates.

After the Epstein files were released, the French government announced it would investigate French citizens implicated in emails and other documents.

Epstein also appears to be connected to current Santa Fe Opera Board of Directors member Peter Frank.

In a 2014 email, sent to both Chaslin and Epstein, Frank writes that “all is terrific in Santa Fe, a very successful musical summer for us here.”

Frank then asks to meet the pair in Paris.

Current Santa Fe Opera Board of Directors member Irwin Sugarman and past member Dan Perry were also sent the email, though there is no documentation of any reply.

"The Santa Fe Opera does not comment on individual personnel matters," a spokesperson for the Opera said in a statement Wednesday. "We maintain longstanding policies prohibiting harassment and inappropriate conduct and provide clear reporting channels for artists and staff."

The Santa Fe Opera did not answer questions about whether officials knew about allegations of sexual misconduct by Chaslin, nor if they planned to investigate after he appeared in the files. 

As for the board members, the officials said Wednesday "we do not have any additional information to provide."

In 2010, Chaslin was awarded a three-year contract with the Santa Fe Opera.

Once in Santa Fe, Chaslin met Epstein and later visited the now-infamous Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County, Chaslin said in a statement.

New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has called on state and federal authorities to investigate the anonymous but thus far unsubstantiated claims that two children were sexually assaulted and buried at the property.

Epstein also visited Chaslin at least once at the Santa Fe Opera, reportedly entering the backstage area and sitting in the front row for a performance of Puccini's Tosca, according to emails.

In 2012, a year before his contract was up, Chaslin abruptly abandoned his position, left the country, and began work in Jerusalem.

Then-Opera General Director Charles Mackay said that Chaslin left to “focus on composing,” according to past Journal reporting.

A 2017 email conversation between Chaslin and Epstein suggests another reason for his sudden departure.

“Hope you're fine,” Chaslin wrote in October 2017. “While the world is getting crazy at chasing men. I had a similar situation (in) Santa Fe. I feel for my fellow male species.”

Epstein replied that women would “say anything” to get their picture in the newspaper “with total disregard for the damage they cause.”

That conversation refers to the #MeToo movement, when a wave of women in and outside of Hollywood accused film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, coercion and rape in October 2017.

“Harvey (Weinstein) has 50 women who say they just escaped his grasp,” Epstein wrote. “You and I know that the only reason he would use the same routine over and over was that in the majority it worked. No one admitting their role.”

In that email chain, Epstein went on to criticize the attire of Rose McGowan, an actress who alleged that Weinstein raped her in a hotel room and was an early advocate for the #MeToo movement.

“Look at the Oscar dress of Rose McGowan, the one accusing him of rape,” Epstein wrote.

Chaslin responded, writing, “That is an excellent point!!!!”

A history of allegations

It's unclear if his departure was tied in any way to the situation he references in Santa Fe.

Chaslin did not mention these messages in his official response to the French press and the Santa Fe Opera did not say whether Chaslin was ever formally investigated by the company.

Still, Chaslin faces at least one other allegation, according to French media.

After the files were released, opera singer Amelia Feuer filed an official complaint with the French government alleging that the conductor had sexually harassed her over text messages in 2016 and offered her work and notoriety in exchange for sexual favors.

Feuer said in interviews and online that she felt empowered to speak up nearly 10 years later because of the bravery of Epstein survivors.

“Seeing so many people refusing to tolerate abuse and choosing to speak up reminds me how powerful our community can be and it gives me a bit of hope,” Feuer wrote in a Feb. 8 social media post.

Gillian Barkhurst is the local government reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.