In Wednesday’s (9/30) New York Times, Daniel J. Wakin reports, “The influence of James Levine on the classical music scene became clear on Tuesday when his representatives said he would undergo an operation to repair a herniated disk in the next few days and would miss at least three weeks of performances. Mr. Levine, 66, is music director of both the Metropolitan Opera and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, two of the music world’s most important institutions. His absence puts serious dents in their seasons and opens a gap at Carnegie Hall.” Assistant conductor Shi-Yeon Sung stepped in for Tuesday’s season-opening concert in Boston. Ms. Sung and another assistant conductor, Julian Kuerti, will share podium duties on Saturday. “On Thursday Mr. Levine and the Bostonians were to open Carnegie’s season with a gala concert, a usually glittering affair that attracts some of the wealthiest and most influential figures in New York. … Levine will also miss key performances at the Met, including several of the house’s high-profile new ‘Tosca’ performances and the first three evenings in October of a run of the Richard Strauss opera ‘Der Rosenkavalier’… Officials at Carnegie Hall and the Boston Symphony were scrambling to find a conductor … for the Thursday opener. … The Met said a staff conductor, Joseph Colaneri, would conduct Mr. Levine’s performances of ‘Tosca.’ ” Late Wednesday morning, it was announced that Daniele Gatti will conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s October 1 concert at Carnegie Hall.
Photo of James Levine courtesy of Michael J. Lutch for the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Posted September 30, 2009
