James Levine’s 40 years at The Metropolitan Opera celebrated in a new book
Conductor James Levine’s four
decade-long tenure as music director
of The Metropolitan Opera has been celebrated in a new book published by Amadeus Press.
James Levine: 40 Years at The Metropolitan Opera includes reminiscences by the conductor
about his historic time with the
New York-based opera company, with revealing observations about the challenges he faced developing its orchestra and chorus, introducing new works to the house’s
repertoire, the singers he worked with – many of whom offer their
own recollections of collaborating with Levine – and his nurturing
of new talent.
The book, illustrated with archive photographs, also includes essays
by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Martin Bernheimer, music historian Harvey Sachs, critic Richard Dyer, Provost and Dean of The Juilliard School, Ara Guzelimian, and Plácido Domingo, who writes about the special relationship he has shared with Levine for over 40 years.
Conductors Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez also comment on working with the Met’s orchestra, and director Franco Zeffirelli explains why he “would jump out of bed at midnight to go work
with Jimmy.”
The Met’s general manager Peter Gelb, who has worked closely with Levine for almost 25 years, contributes the book’s foreword.
James Levine: 40 Years at The Metropolitan Opera is published on May 3, and will retail in the United States at $32.
Posted Mar 11, 2011 at 4:58 pm by Barbara Todres/NYC
I wish Maestro James Levine and the MET all the best of wishes for this new book and I can hardly wait to read and cherish it. Nice to read all the above quotes of commendation to this beloved Maestro as well.
Warm wishes,
Barbara Todres/NYC