NEW YORK (NYTimes) - The Metropolitan Opera in New York has fired veteran British stage director John Copley. The 84-year-old, one of the opera world's foremost directors for decades, was at the Met directing a revival of his 1990 production of Rossini's Semiramide when a member of the chorus reported that Copley had made him uncomfortable on Monday with a sexually charged remark.

Copley has long been a mainstay at both the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera in London.

He has also had a prominent international career.

His dismissal came as the Met has been investigating accusations against its former music director, James Levine, whom it suspended in December.

Four men said he had sexually abused them decades ago, when they were teenagers or his students.