What no one dares talk about in New York — at least not yet:

…the medical leave will add to the debate about whether Levine is in fact overextended in his two jobs leading both the BSO and the Metropolitan Opera ….

Levine’s current contract at the Met ends in 2011 and one presumes he’ll use that juncture as a moment to ask some tough questions about what he wants to accomplish in the coming years. All the issues are linked, but ultimately, I think this comes down less to health questions than artistic ones. Is the current arrangement allowing him to realize his full potential in either city?

At least they’re asking the question in Boston.