James Levine

James Levine 2013

American conductor and pianist

James Lawrence Levine (June 23, 1943 – March 9, 2021) was an American conductor and pianist. He was best known for his tenure as the music director of the Metropolitan Opera (the "Met") in New York City, a position he held from 1976 to 2016. Levine was a prominent figure in the world of classical music and was highly regarded for his interpretations of the operatic and symphonic repertoire.

Early Life and Education

James Levine was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a musical family. His father, Lawrence Levine, was a violinist and his mother, Helen Goldstein Levine, was an actress and singer. Levine began studying the piano at an early age and made his debut as a soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at the age of ten. He attended the Walnut Hills High School and later studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was a pupil of Rosina Lhévinne.

Career

Levine's professional career began in 1964 when he served as an assistant conductor at the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell. He made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1971, conducting Puccini's Tosca. In 1973, he was appointed the principal conductor of the Met, and in 1976, he became the music director, a position he held for four decades.

During his tenure at the Met, Levine conducted more than 2,500 performances of 85 different operas. He was instrumental in expanding the Met's repertoire, introducing new works, and reviving lesser-known operas. Levine also led the Met's orchestra in numerous recordings and international tours.

In addition to his work at the Met, Levine held positions with other major orchestras. He was the music director of the Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, from 1973 to 1993. He also served as the chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic from 1999 to 2004 and the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2011.

Health Issues and Retirement

Levine's career was marred by health issues in his later years. He suffered from Parkinson's disease and other ailments that led to multiple surgeries and periods of absence from conducting. In 2016, he stepped down as the music director of the Met but continued to work with the company as music director emeritus until 2018.

Controversies

In 2017, Levine faced allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to an investigation by the Met. In 2018, the Met terminated its relationship with Levine, citing credible evidence of abusive conduct. Levine denied the allegations, but the controversy significantly impacted his legacy.

Legacy

Despite the controversies, James Levine is remembered for his significant contributions to the world of classical music. His interpretations of the operatic and symphonic repertoire have left a lasting impact on audiences and musicians alike.

See Also

• Metropolitan Opera
• Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Munich Philharmonic
• Ravinia Festival
• George Szell
• Juilliard School

External Links

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