James Levine, Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera, was set to conduct the opening concert at Carnegie Hall this season. However, he will not be seen on a podium for the next three weeks, as Maestro Levine will soon undergo back surgery to repair a herniated disk.
Although Levine will miss some high profile performances, such as the first performance of Tosca with The Met, the operation comes at a time when Mr. Levine had already canceled performances due to extreme back pain. According to his doctors, having the surgery will prevent further damage and hopefully allow him to return to his assorted posts quickly and with renewed vigor. Source: NY Times Music.