Conductor in Epstein files, the Massimo Theatre in Palermo denies him the contract

The French conductor Frédéric Chaslin, whose name appears in the Epstein files, has been relieved from the Teatro Massimo in Palermo of the direction of Aida, scheduled for May.

It was Chaslin himself who yesterday disseminated the email exchange with the superintendent of the opera house, Marco Betta.

The conductor allegedly suggested to the American financier, in 2013, the name of a friend, Frederika Finkelstein, as a translator during Epstein's visit to Paris and Versailles. The interested party later declined the assignment. This was reported by Repubblica.

Last February, Chaslin conducted a concert in Palermo, and on that occasion, news spread that his name appeared in the Epstein files, which caused embarrassment among the orchestra members, to the point that the orchestra professors discussed it with the artistic director Alvise Casellati, in view of the contract for Aida that was yet to be signed by Chaslin.

The superintendent Betta then wrote to the conductor, explaining that "in light of the overall assessments made, it will not be possible to proceed with the artistic collaboration."

Chaslin, through his lawyer, responded by stating that there are no complaints or investigations against him and lamenting that, despite the lack of a contract, he had trusted the word given and the fact that his name was listed in the program, having personally advanced 4,200 euros for an Airbnb accommodation and 1,000 euros for flights in anticipation of the stay in Palermo. "I have always heard that honor is a fundamental value in Sicily — Chaslin writes to Betta —. I therefore trust that it can still guide present decisions."

As for Jeffrey Epstein, Chaslin clarifies that the relationship is confined to "a possible activity of philanthropy" from which he would have "never received any compensation."