BSO Managing Director Mark Volpe today announced that BSO Music Director James Levine will withdraw from his Tanglewood concert appearances due to further recuperation time needed after major back surgery in April. Several of the world’s most prestigious conductors will fill in for the six BSO concerts and three Tanglewood Music Center programs to have been led by James Levine, including Michael Tilson Thomas (July 9, 16, and 17), Christoph von Dohnányi (August 1 and 2), and Hans Graf (July 25). In addition, Johannes Debus, music director of the Canadian Opera Company, will make his BSO debut on July 23. A program listing with complete performance details appears at the end of this press release.
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“This has been a tough year for all of us associated with the BSO, but for no one more than James Levine,” said BSO Managing Director Mark Volpe. “Since there is typically a long recovery period needed after major back surgery, we understand that it is the best course of action for Jim to take the summer off, and we hope that his convalescence continues to go well. Jim’s determination to successfully complete his course of rehabilitation has been remarkable—and reminds me of the singular focus he has brought to his greatest musical achievements over the years. We have deep admiration and respect for all Jim has accomplished with the BSO, and we look forward to next season when he is in better health and returns to what he loves doing more than anything else—leading performances of the highest, uncompromised standards.”
“It is with great personal disappointment that I must withdraw from the upcoming Tanglewood season, and my work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Music Center,” said James Levine, BSO Music Director. “My doctors have told me I have made great progress—even beyond their expectations—but have advised me to err on the side of caution and take the summer off to recuperate more fully from the two back surgeries of this past year. The most important thing is to not risk any delay in my recovery so I can return to good health and my conducting duties at the BSO and MET this fall without further interruptions. I am incredibly grateful for the tremendous support and understanding I’ve received from my colleagues and friends throughout the music world, all of which is helping me more than I can say in getting through this most challenging time. Though I will miss being with you all, I wish my BSO and Tanglewood colleagues a successful summer season.”
Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony, will lead the BSO’s Opening Night program of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, with vocalists Layla Claire and Stephanie Blythe, on July 9, and the BSO program of Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and Mozart’s Requiem on July 16. Mr. Tilson Thomas will also lead the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 on July 17. In addition, Mr. Tilson Thomas, along with Stefan Asbury, will work with TMC Conducting Fellows during the rehearsal process for the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra July 12 program (Bach’s Ricercare from The Musical Offering, arranged by Webern, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5, and Strauss’s Suite from Bourgeois Gentilhomme).
In addition to his originally scheduled BSO concerts of August 6 and 8, Christoph von Dohnányi, former music director of the Cleveland Orchestra, will lead the Tanglewood Music Center production of Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos on August 1 and 2. Mr. Dohnányi will be in residency at Tanglewood for the month leading up to these performances, working closely, in individual sessions with the singers, orchestra, and stage director Ira Siff, as well as TMC Conducting Fellow Keitaro Harada, who will lead the August 4 performance of the opera.
Also substituting for Mr. Levine, Hans Graf, music director of the Houston Symphony, will lead the BSO in a program of marches, waltzes, and polkas from the great Viennese tradition of the Strauss family, also featuring cellist Lynn Harrell and BSO principal violist Steven Ansell in Richard Strauss’s Don Quixote, on July 25. Johannes Debus, music director of the Canadian Opera Company, will lead the BSO’s concert performance of Mozart’s The Abduction from Seraglio, with soloists Lisette Oropesa, Ashley Emerson, Eric Cutler, Anthony Stevenson, and Morris Robinson, on July 23.
Details about substitute conductors for the July 31 program of Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra, Strauss’s Four Last Songs, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, which Mr. Levine was to have led, and the July 24 all-Brahms concert, which Seiji Ozawa was to have led (withdrew in April due to recuperative time needed after recent surgery), will be forthcoming.
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