Metropolitan Opera - James Levine

Unwürdiges Ende einer langen Zusammenarbeit

Die Metropolitan Opera (Met) New York, beendete jede Form der Zusammenarbeit mit ihrem langjährigen Stardirigenten James Levine (*1943). James Levine war über vierzig Jahre, von 1976 bis 2016,  Music Director der Met. Die folgende Pressemitteilung der Met begründet diese Entscheidung mit sexuellem Fehlverhalten von James Levine.

In ihrer Pressemitteilung bestreitet die Met, dass ihr Management oder der Board of Directors Informationen zum Fehlverhalten von James Levine unterdrückt haben.

Wortlaut der Pressemitteilung der Metropolitan Opera

"After considering the findings of a thorough investigation conducted by outside counsel that lasted more than three months, the Metropolitan Opera has terminated its relationship with James Levine as Music Director Emeritus and Artistic Director of its young artist program.

The investigation uncovered credible evidence that Mr. Levine had engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct both before and during the period when he worked at the Met. The investigation also uncovered credible evidence that Mr. Levine engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct towards vulnerable artists in the early stages of their careers, over whom Mr. Levine had authority. In light of these findings, the Met concludes that it would be inappropriate and impossible for Mr. Levine to continue to work at the Met.

The investigation also found that any claims or rumors that members of the Met’s management or its Board of Directors engaged in a cover-up of information relating to these issues are completely unsubstantiated.

We thank the more than 70 individuals who were interviewed during the course of the investigation.

We recognize the great concerns over these issues that have been expressed by the Met community both inside and outside of the opera house, and wish to provide the assurance that the Met is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful and harassment-free workplace for its employees and artists."

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