James Levine is suing the Metropolitan Opera over breach of contract and defamation.
He was ousted as the opera's music director earlier this week after 40 years on the job.
The Met says an internal investigation found credible evidence that he sexually abused artists in the early stages of their careers while they were under his authority.
The opera released a statement Thursday saying Levine is refusing to accept responsibility.
It says he is lashing out with a suit that is riddled with what they call untruths.