Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has sacked its managing director and announced that former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett will lead a review of the events leading up to this month’s cancellation of a guest pianist for expressing views on the Gaza conflict.

Sophie Galaise has departed the MSO after eight years at the helm. The final straw for the board is said to have been her decision to fly overseas this month, as the MSO crisis mounted, for a tour with donors and some of the orchestra in Singapore.