James Levine News

Metropolitan Opera Music Director James Levine will conduct Dmitri Hvorostovsky in his first Met performances of the title role in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra beginning January 20.

Marco Armiliato will conduct Puccini's La Boheme on January 31, February 3, 7, 10, 17, 22, and 25, replacing Roberto Rizzi Brignoli, who has withdrawn for personal reasons.

Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director, today announced Carnegie Hall's 2011-2012 season, consisting of 180 performances and extensive education and community programs, featuring collaborations with many of the world's greatest musicians and ensembles from the worlds of classical, pop, jazz, and world music, and performances presented on Carnegie Hall's three stages and throughout New York City.

Roberto De Biasio will make his Met debut as Gabriele Adorno in the Thursday, January 20 opening performance of Simon Boccanegra, replacing Ramón Vargas, who is ill. Mr. Vargas is scheduled to sing the remainder of the performances.

Virginia Opera announces a change in the cast for its upcoming production of Wagner's The Valkyrie. Due to health issues, Bryan Glenn Davis has withdrawn from his contract to sing the role of Wotan.

The New York Times will hold its 10th annual Arts & Leisure Weekend on Jan. 6 to 9, 2011.

The New York Times will hold its 10th annual Arts & Leisure Weekend on Jan. 6 to 9, 2011.

Donizetti's Charming Comic Opera "Don Pasquale," Starring Anna Netrebko, begins New Season of THIRTEEN's 'Great Performances at the Met' Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS

Metropolitan Opera Music Director James Levine will conduct Dmitri Hvorostovsky in his first Met performances of the title role in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra beginning January 20.

It is a season of momentous anniversaries for the Metropolitan Opera Guild: the Guild began the season-long celebration of its 75th anniversary this fall; as publisher of Opera News, the Guild celebrates the magazine's own diamond anniversary in 2011; and the January issue of Opera News marks the 40th anniversary of James Levine's Metropolitan Opera debut (which was June 5, 1971, conducting Tosca). The cover feature sees Scott Rose take on the difficult task of choosing 40 highlights from Levine's 40 storied years at the Met.

The Metropolitan Opera celebrates its 80th season of Saturday Afternoon Radio Broadcasts-the longest-running classical music series in American broadcast history-with a 22-week season featuring many of the world's greatest operatic artists, beginning December 18.

World renowned tenor Ben Heppner - described by the Telegraph (UK) as 'the world's dramatic tenor of choice, distinguished not only by his stamina and power but also his clarion beauty of tone' - headlines a special free community conversation open to the general public and presented by Los Angeles Children's Chorus in conjunction with its new Young Men's Ensemble (YME) on Friday, December 10, at 7:30 P.M., at Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. Young Men's Ensemble Director Dr. Steven Kronauer moderates the conversation, during which Heppner, currently featured in the title role of LA Opera's production of Lohengrin, will discuss his career in general, as well as his singing techniques, his voice change during adolescence, and how he trained during that period of his life. He will also answer questions from the audience.

The New York Times will hold its 10th annual Arts & Leisure Weekend on Jan. 6 to 9, 2011.

The New York Times will hold its 10th annual Arts & Leisure Weekend on Jan. 6 to 9, 2011. The Times's signature event is a four-day celebration of the arts featuring TimesTalks interviews between New York Times journalists and celebrated guests from film, media, music, television and theater.

The San Francisco Symphony will celebrate its Centennial in 2011-12 and today announced highlights for the Orchestra's milestone year. Presenting an ambitious season of concerts, programs, and events, expanded education programs and Centennial media initiatives, the Orchestra's 100th season celebrates the American orchestra and its vibrant role within its community as an artistic leader and civic institution. Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas and the SF Symphony will break new ground with a two-week American Mavericks Festival both in San Francisco and touring the country; an unprecedented presentation of the most distinguished major American orchestras in one series, in one season; unique concerts and heritage events celebrating the period of the Symphony's founding; artist and composer residencies featuring world premiere commissions; expanded music education programs including instrument training for public schools and an amateur music program for adults; and a variety of media projects that explore the living heritage of the Orchestra and its role within its community.

Sir Colin Davis will lead the New York Philharmonic in Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 and Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn, featuring Dorothea Röschmann in her Philharmonic debut, and tenor Ian Bostridge, Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 4, at 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. This program is part of a season-long focus honoring the 150th anniversary of Mahler's birth and the 100th anniversary of his death and last season as music director of the Philharmonic. For more information, go to nyphil.org/mahler.

World renowned tenor Ben Heppner - described by the Telegraph (UK) as 'the world's dramatic tenor of choice, distinguished not only by his stamina and power but also his clarion beauty of tone' - headlines a special free community conversation open to the general public and presented by Los Angeles Children's Chorus in conjunction with its new Young Men's Ensemble (YME) on Friday, December 10, at 7:30 P.M., at Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. Young Men's Ensemble Director Dr. Steven Kronauer moderates the conversation, during which Heppner, currently featured in the title role of LA Opera's production of Lohengrin, will discuss his career in general, as well as his singing techniques, his voice change during adolescence, and how he trained during that period of his life. He will also answer questions from the audience.

La MaMa ETC in association with La Criatura Theater presents the World Premiere of THE ORPHANS by Karina Casiano.

Sir Colin Davis will lead the New York Philharmonic in Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 and Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn, featuring Dorothea Röschmann in her Philharmonic debut, and tenor Ian Bostridge, Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 4, at 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. This program is part of a season-long focus honoring the 150th anniversary of Mahler's birth and the 100th anniversary of his death and last season as music director of the Philharmonic. For more information, go to nyphil.org/mahler.

Sir Colin Davis will lead the New York Philharmonic in Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 and Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn, featuring Dorothea Röschmann in her Philharmonic debut, and tenor Ian Bostridge, Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 4, at 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. This program is part of a season-long focus honoring the 150th anniversary of Mahler's birth and the 100th anniversary of his death and last season as music director of the Philharmonic. For more information, go to nyphil.org/mahler.