James Levine was an American conductor and pianist renowned for his profound impact on the world of classical music, especially within the United States. Born on June 23, 1943, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Levine began his musical career as a keyboard prodigy and went on to study at the Juilliard School of Music. He made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1971 and quickly established himself as one of the leading figures in opera and orchestral music, serving as the Met's music director from 1976 to 2016.

Throughout his career, Levine was praised for his dynamic and thoughtful interpretations of a broad repertoire, ranging from the works of Mozart and Brahms to those of Wagner and contemporary composers. His recordings and live performances, such as Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" and "La clemenza di Tito," Wagner's "Die Walküre," and R. Strauss's "4 Letzte Lieder," won him critical acclaim and numerous accolades. Through collaborations with various high-profile soloists and orchestras, as evidenced in live recitals with artists like Thomas Quasthoff and legendary pianists like Rudolf Serkin, Levine further cemented his status as one of his generation's most versatile and compelling conductors.

Levine's career, however, was not without controversy. In the later years of his life, he was marred by allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to his dismissal from the Metropolitan Opera and cast a shadow over his legacy. Despite these allegations, his contributions to the performance and interpretation of classical music remain significant. James Levine passed away on March 9, 2021, leaving behind a complex legacy interwoven with artistic genius and personal controversy.

Genres

Classical Performance

Opera

Related Artists

Claudio Abbado

Daniel Barenboim

Riccardo Muti

Seiji Ozawa

Zubin Mehta

Valery Gergiev

Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Lorin Maazel

Bernard Haitink

Mariss Jansons

Andris Nelsons

Christoph von Dohnányi

Latest Release

Thomas Quasthoff in Verbier - Vol. II / Live

Franz Schubert•

Thomas Quasthoff•

Evgeny Kissin•

Maurice Ravel•

Martha Argerich•

Emanuel Ax•

James Levine

Album - 43 Tracks - Released December 1, 2023