Ravinia Cuts Ties With James Levine Over Sex Abuse Allegations

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Following sexual assault allegations against its former conductor and musical director, Ravinia Festival said it has "severed all ties" with James Levine, who had been due to begin a five-year term as its first conductor emeritus.

In a statement released Monday evening, the festival cited "recent accounts in the media" and said it "maintains a zero-tolerance policy and culture on sexual harassment. We are deeply troubled and saddened by the allegations and sympathize with everyone who has been hurt."

The accusations were first reported Friday in the New York Post, which obtained a copy of a Lake Forest Police Department report filed in October 2016.

The following day, the New York Times published accounts of three men claiming inappropriate sexual contact with Levine when they were under the age of 18.

Lake Forest police have so far declined to comment, but suggested more information may be released "pending further review of this case." The Lake County State's Attorney's office confirmed it has begun reviewing the case.

The festival had released a statement Sunday saying it first heard of the allegations against Levine from a journalist Friday and learned the details of the allegations against Levine from newspaper articles published Saturday.

» Read More: 3 Men Accuse Ravinia Conductor James Levine Of Sexual Abuse

Ravinia's initial Sunday statement described the investigations as "ongoing" and said the festival would "take any actions that it deems appropriate following the results of these investigations."

The Metropolitan Opera decided to suspend its relationship with Levine Sunday following the publication of allegations.

"While we await the results of the investigation, based on these new news reports, the Met has made the decision to act now," said Met General Manager Peter Geld. "This is a tragedy for anyone whose life has been affected."

In a statement released Monday afternoon, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association described the allegations as "deeply troubling."

"Ravinia Festival is awaiting the findings of the current investigations and will take action as appropriate. At this time, Mr. Levine is not scheduled to conduct future concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Center.”

Watch: 3 Men Accuse Ravinia Conductor James Levine Of Sexual Abuse

_{Top photo: Conductor James Levine during a 2010 dress rehearsal of New York Metropolitan Opera's "Das Rheingold" ("The Rhine Gold") in New York. | AP Photo | Craig Ruttle}