Two members of the New York Philharmonic, Matthew Muckey and Liang Wang, have been dismissed for the second time due to a 14-year-old rape allegation. The two musicians are now suing the orchestra and their union Local 802 after being reinstated in 2020 following the MeToo movement in 2018. A new investigation was launched in April after the alleged victim detailed the incident in an article, causing Muckey and Wang to lose their jobs indefinitely.
Cara Kizer, a former horn player with the Philharmonic, accused Muckey and Wang of drugging and raping her in 2010, but charges were not filed due to insufficient evidence. The investigation was not made public until the MeToo movement in 2018, when the two musicians were initially fired but reinstated by the union. Now, they are once again seeking legal action against the orchestra and the union, requesting their jobs back and damages for breach of contract.
The initial investigation found that the firing of Muckey and Wang was without cause, resulting in their reinstatement in 2020. However, with the latest investigation and suspension from the orchestra, both musicians are once again at odds with the orchestra and their union. Their attorneys have criticized both the Philharmonic and Local 802 for not supporting their clients and have called for an end to the matter.
The Philharmonic has embarked on a fresh investigation into the orchestra’s culture in light of the recent allegations, leading to the suspension of Muckey and Wang. The orchestra’s CEO, Gary Ginstling, emphasized the importance of the orchestra’s culture and the safety of its members in the wake of these accusations. While the Philharmonic declined to comment, the union has called for a change in culture within the orchestra.
Kizer detailed her experience with Muckey and Wang in an article, recounting how she ended up in their condo after a concert and woke up sick and naked the next day. Despite Muckey claiming the encounter was consensual, charges were not pursued by the local district attorney. Kizer’s story has garnered support from fellow musicians and a romantic partner, who have all expressed concern over the impact of the allegations on the orchestra’s reputation and relationships.
The situation has left the New York Philharmonic in a difficult position, with donors and board members potentially facing blowback if Muckey and Wang were not suspended again. The lawsuit filed by the two musicians against the orchestra and their union highlights the complexity of addressing past allegations within a prestigious organization like the Philharmonic. As the legal battle continues, the orchestra is left to navigate the fallout from these allegations and reassess its internal culture to ensure the safety and well-being of its members.
