Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Tuesday 13 March 2018
Levine fired by Met after it finds evidence of sexual abuse

By RONALD BLUM tor of London’s Royal Phil-
Associated Press harmonic Orchestra and
NEW YORK (AP) — James engagements were can-
Levine, whose 46-year ca- celed at numerous orches-
reer at the Metropolitan tras. Dutoit has denied the
Opera established him as allegations.The Met said in
a towering figure in classi- its statement “the investi-
cal music, was fired by the gation also found that any
company on Monday af- claims or rumors that mem-
ter an investigation found bers of the Met’s manage-
evidence of sexual abuse ment or its board of direc-
and harassment. tors engaged in a cover-up
Levine made his Met de- of information relating to
but in 1971 and became these issues are complete-
one of the signature artists ly unsubstantiated.”
in the company’s 135-year Following the death of
history, conducting 2,552 Leonard Bernstein in 1990,
performances and ruling Levine was regarded as
over its repertoire, orches- the top American conduc-
tra and singers as music or tor and was given a starring
artistic director from 1976 role in the film “Fantasia
until he stepped down two 2000.” Many of his perfor-
years ago due to Parkin- mances were televised
son’s disease. He became by PBS, and singers rear-
music director emeritus In this July 7, 2006 file photo, Boston Symphony Orchestra music director James Levine conducts ranged their schedules to
and remained head of its the symphony on its opening night performance at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. appear in his performanc-
young artists program but Associated Press es or even to audition for
was suspended on Dec. 3 him.He was revered by
after accounts in the New said more than 70 people the Met,” the company Levine has not been the Met’s orchestra, board
York Post and The New York were interviewed. said in a statement. “The in- charged with any criminal and patrons during a reign
Times of sexual misconduct “The investigation uncov- vestigation also uncovered offense. The Lake County as chief conductor (1973-
dating to the 1960s. ered credible evidence credible evidence that Mr. state’s attorney’s office in 76), music director (1976-
The Met hired former U.S. that Mr. Levine had en- Levine engaged in sexu- Illinois said in December 86 and 2004-16) and ar-
Attorney Robert J. Cleary, gaged in sexually abusive ally abusive and harassing it investigated a sexual tistic director (1986-2004).
now a partner at Proskauer and harassing conduct conduct towards vulnera- abuse allegation of mis- In addition, he was music
Rose, to head its investi- both before and during the ble artists in the early stag- conduct dating to the director of the Chicago
gation, and the company period when he worked at es of their careers, over 1980s but concluded “no Symphony Orchestra’s Ra-
whom Mr. Levine had au- criminal charges can be vinia Festival from 1973-93
thority. In light of these find- brought” and cited mul- and the Boston Symphony
ings, the Met concludes tiple factors, including “the Orchestra from 2004-11,
that it would be inappropri- relevant age of consent in and chief conductor of the
ate and impossible for Mr. Illinois at the time of the al- Munich Philharmonic from
Levine to continue to work leged incidents.” 1999-2004.Instantly recog-
at the Met.” Levine’s downfall follows nizable by his bushy frock
The Met did not release that of 81-year-old Charles of hair and towel draped
specifics of the evidence. Dutoit. After The Associ- over a shoulder during
Tim Fox of Columbia Art- ated Press reported sexual rehearsals, he regularly
ists, who represents the assault allegations against conducted at the Vienna
74-year-old conductor, did him, the Swiss conductor Philharmonic, Berlin Philhar-
not respond to an email resigned as artistic direc- monic, Bayreuth Festival
seeking comment. tor and principal conduc- and Salzburg Festival.q

Preservation Hall gets back

its signature sousaphone

By JANET McCONNAUGHEY on exactly how he got it 12 years’ wear and tear, so
Associated Press back. he could still make out the
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A dis- “We were notified late last words.
tinctive wraparound tuba week that it’d been spot- Even without the lettering,
that was stolen last month ted,” he said by phone. “It he said, the sousaphone
from the Preservation Hall took a few days for us to would be easy to iden-
Jazz Band in New Orleans make all the right connec- tify because it is an Italian-
is back. tions. made instrument, and a
Creative director and mu- ”Tape used to spell out rarity in the U.S.
sician Ben Jaffe said he “Preservation Hall, New Or- “I’ve never met another
recovered the 12-year-old leans” in black-and-white person in the U.S. who uses
Italian sousaphone Mon- letters is gone from the bell, this make ,” he added.
day, thanks to a tipster who Jaffe noted. However, he The sousaphone is lighter
wished to remain anony- said, the tape had protect- than most, making it easier
mous. He didn’t elaborate ed the finish under it from to march with.q