Both the BSO, Carnegie Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera have announced that James Levine will be withdrawing from all Fall upcoming concerts for health reasons. The American conductor will be undergoing "immediate unanticipated" back surgery to repair a herniated disc.
Tonight and Saturday night's Boston BSO concerts, in addition to Thursday night's NYC Carnegie Hall season opener will be affected by Levine's cancellations. The BSO will replace Levine with assistant conductors Shi-Yeon Sung and Julian Kuerti.
Regarding the Metropolitan Opera, Levine will withdraw from his Fall engagements, but is expected to be on the podium for the opening production of Les Contes d'Hoffmann on December 3, 2009. Levine's MET cancellations are as follows:
Tosca's October 6 & 10 matinee: James Colaneri
Der Rosenkavalier's October 13, 16 & 28: TBA
A speedy recovery and all our biggest, best healing wishes to Maestro Levine!
[Update, Sept. 30]
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Edo de Waart will conduct Der Rosenkavalier on October 13, 16, and 19, replacing James Levine.