Music Critic, Transferred from Job, Sues Newspaper and Orchestra
A former music critic for the Cleveland Plain Dealer claims in a lawsuit that he was transferred from his post as a result of pressure from managers of the city orchestra.
Donald Rosenberg, who now serves as the newspaper’s music reporter and dance critic, claims Cleveland Orchestra officials waged a “campaign of vilification” against him, resulting in the job loss, the New York Times reports. His suit names the Plain Dealer and its editor, as well as the orchestra’s parent organization and orchestra officials.
The suit claims the defendants defamed him, the orchestra tortiously interfered with his job, and the newspaper editor violated age bias laws and Ohio free speech principles. The action claims Rosenberg’s troubles began after he quoted the orchestra director in a 2004 column as saying he used his charm to raise money from “rich widows” and noting that “blue hair ladies” were among those attending concerts.
The lawyer for the orchestra told the Times it had a right to criticize a critic, and its comments were not defamation. Even if managers did urge Rosenberg’s firing, “So what?” said lawyer Robert Duvin.
