levine_mickeyUPDATE:The Met press office this afternoon [!] has broken the news:

James Levine has withdrawn from the four performances of Tosca and three performances of Lulu he was scheduled to conduct in April and May. He is to undergo corrective surgery for an ongoing lower back problem.

Fabio Luisi will replace Levine for both Tosca (April 14, 17, 20, and 24 mat.) and Lulu (May 8, 12, 15 mat.)

And so, Levine’s 2009-2010 Met schedule will end up consisting of only 11 performances (plus four concerts and two open dress rehearsals) — his shortest season with the company since his debut during the June festival in 1971!

That is, unless he recovers in time for [never mind, that tour isn’t until June 2011.]

Earlier: Operachic “reports” (without indicating a source) that James Levine has withdrawn from both Tosca and Lulu at the Met this spring, to be replaced by Fabio Luisi (not pictured).  La Cieca’s New York source confirms that Levine is definitely out of the Tosca, but calls the news about Lulu “premature.”

Your doyenne will continue to follow up on this side of the pond.

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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