Met Opera Conductor James Levine Accused of Sexual Abuse

The New York Times has revealed that the Metropolitan Opera is opening an investigation into claims against conductor James Levine, alleging sexual abuse. Over a year ago, a man filed a police report saying Levine had abused him in the 1980's. The Met was made aware of this report but did not act on it until recent media inquiries were made into Levine's conduct.

The man, who was 15 at the time, alleges that the abuse continued for years and included meetings in hotels where Levine would touch him and masturbate in front of him. According to the New York Post, the man said "I began seeing a 41-year-old man when I was 15, without really understanding I was really 'seeing' him. It nearly destroyed my family and almost led me to suicide."

Peter Gelb, general manager at the Met, made an official statement saying, "This first came to the Met's attention when the Illinois police investigation was opened in October of 2016. At the time Jim said that the charges were completely false, and we didn't hear anything further from the police. We need to determine if these charges are true."

Meanwhile the Met has tweeted that they have every intention of fully investigating the claims made against Levine:

Over the course of his career, Levine has conducted more than 2,560 performances at the Met in a broad-ranging repertory. He served as the company's Music Director from 1976 to 2016 and retired at the end of 2016 to become the Met's first Music Director Emeritus.

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM has released a statement on the allegations of sexual abuse on the part of Music Director Emeritus James Levine:

"We are horrified and sickened by the recently reported allegations of sexual abuse by Mr. Levine. The Metropolitan Opera has an obligation to all employees to provide a safe workplace free of sexual harassment and discrimination. Throughout history, artists have stood for our society's values and priorities. As musicians of the MET Orchestra, Local 802 and members of labor unions, we have the power to bring about positive change. It is incumbent upon our community to decisively and immediately denounce actions of abuse, assault and sexual harassment." - Tino Gagliardi, President, Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802, AFM

Visit The New York Times and The New York Post for more.

Photo by Adam Nemser-PHOTOlink