VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says it will not take legal action against a violinist who broke a non-disclosure agreement and went public with allegations that she was raped by a senior musician and then faced retaliation from the orchestra.
An open letter signed by VSO President Angela Elster and the symphony's board of directors said they regret the “suffering” endured by violinist Esther Hwang, who last month spoke out about an alleged assault she said happened several years ago.
The orchestra's lawyer sent Hwang a legal threat the day after the Globe and Mail article was published, prompting an outcry from Hwang's supporters, but an open letter Tuesday said the recent controversy has “stimulated important reflection” within the organization.
The letter states that the orchestra will not use confidentiality agreements in the future in cases of sexual harassment or rape unless requested by the complainant.
It said the orchestra takes Hwang's concerns “extremely seriously” and the alleged perpetrator has not worked for the orchestra since 2019, when Hwang received a $7,100 payment from the orchestra that also included an NDA.
Hwang says at the time she felt obligated to sign a confidentiality agreement after she alleged that her former violin teacher raped her at a party after a performance while she was intoxicated to the point of passing out in 2018.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 7, 2026.
