Following Triumphant Opening James Levine Cancels His Summer Tanglewood Appearances
Artistic Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival To Undergo Surgery This Week.
By: Charles Giuliano - Jul 08, 2008
In a breaking news development, today, at noon, Geoff Edgers posted to Boston.com, the website of the Boston Globe, that James Levine, the artistic director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival will undergo surgery this week. He was scheduled to conduct eight more concerts in the Berkshires. He also fills a role as a mentor to the Tanglewood Music Center Fellows. Tanglewood announced that guest conductors will be scheduled for all of the programs planned for Levine.
Just this past weekend, we attended Levine's triumphant opening of the official Tanglewood season with a magnificent opera Les Troyens by Hector Berlioz. In a review by Andrew L. Pincus, in the Berkshire Eagle, the headline proclaimed "Tanglewood: A Jaw Dropping Opener." Similarly there were rave reviews in the Boston Globe and the New York Times.
An ambitious concert version of the Berlioz opera was performed in May by the BSO ending its season in Boston. Given the limited rehearsal time in the intense Tanglewood schedule it was commented by critics that the work had greatly benefited during the interval between the Boston performances and its refinements in the Berkshires. Some critics went so far as to critique some of the singers as suffering from symptoms of the flu and being off voice in Boston. And in better voice in Lenox for what was generally seen as a stronger performance over two days.
Pincus conveyed the essence of most reviewers by stating that "The BSO took a huge3 leap in opening the season this way. Never before had a Tanglewood opening been spread over two programsÂ…"
Commenting on Levine's overall fitness and energy, in view of ongoing health and weight issues, Pincus observed that "Â…Levine looking hale and vigorous in a black suit, wielded firm command and loosed an awesome display of vocal and orchestral firepower."
While for critics this dramatic staging of such an ambitious work scheduled to open the season was an artistic triumph the attendance figures were respectable with 6,500 on Saturday and 5,000 on Sunday. By contrast, the popular James Taylor birthday bash on Friday night outnumbered and then some the combined Berlioz performances. The Taylor performances on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, sold out months ago with 18,000 for each night. Rain on Thursday dampened those with prepaid lawn tickets but this was not a factor on Friday night.
It is widely considered that James Levine brings new vision and energy to Tanglewood. The key issue is opening up the season to new works, particularly Levine's unique passion and commitment to opera, and how that will play with audiences. Taking his energy and leadership out of the equation is sure to have an impact.
In addition to Levine's absence, Tanglewood, and all other Berkshire arts institutions, have other challenges this summer. Gas at $4 a gallon, fewer and more expensive airline flights, a plunging stock market coupled with inflation has led to coining a new word "Staycation." Meaning a lot of middle class families are not going anywhere this summer. While that may give the Berkshires an odd bounce with its one tank, round trip, proximity to major urban populations in Boston, New York and Connecticut. Many families may opt for day trips to the Berkshires.
The Press Release from the Boston Symphony Orchestra/ Tanglewood
BSO Music Director James Levine regrets that he will have to withdraw from the balance of the 2008 Tanglewood season. Because of a cyst causing pressure and discomfort, Levine will undergo surgery this week to have a kidney removed. The procedure has been described by Levine's doctors as curative, with no other treatment necessary and with every expectation for a complete recovery. The anticipated recuperation period is six weeks - leaving ample time to prepare and conduct the season openings of the BSO and the Metropolitan Opera in September.
"It is extremely frustrating that I need to have this surgery now," said Levine. "My projects at Tanglewood have been planned so carefully and coordinated in such detail by the Festival administration. I especially regret not being here with Elliott Carter for his 100th birthday celebration, which I was looking forward to more than I can say. And I'm very disappointed at having to miss concerts with my colleagues in the BSO, as well as my work with the young musicians of the Tanglewood Music Center."
Mark Volpe, BSO Managing Director, expressed the sentiments of everyone at the Festival: "All of us at Tanglewood are very disappointed that James Levine will not be with us for his remaining concerts this summer," said BSO Managing Director Mark Volpe. "However, we are primarily concerned for Jim's health and well-being, and that everything be done to ensure a complete recovery so that he returns as soon as possible to his musical life with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera."
The 2008 Tanglewood concert schedule, which offers 67 ticketed performances and runs through Labor Day weekend, will not be disrupted, with all concerts to take place as originally scheduled. An announcement about guest conductors scheduled to take over Maestro Levine's remaining Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Music Center concerts will be forthcoming. Maestro Levine led the BSO, a cast of international soloists, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in the opening weekend of the Tanglewood season, leading a performance of Berlioz' monumental Les Troyens, July 5 and 6. Also last week, Maestro Levine led the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in a performance of Dvorák's Eighth Symphony.
Tanglewood, located in Lenox, MA, is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. For complete details about the 2008 Tanglewood season, visit www.tanglewood.org.