James Levine withdraws from Met Tour to Japan

The Met reports that maestro James Levine has withdraw from the three-week tour to Japan scheduled this June. “Following his doctors’ advice, James Levine is taking the summer off to rest and recuperate from his ongoing back condition,” the Met said in a statement.

The principal guest conductor, Fabio Luisi will take over conducting the runs of Puccini’s “La Bohème”, starring Anna Netrebko, and Verdi’s “Don Carlo” in Japan. Gianandrea Noseda is still scheduled to lead Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor”.