Zubin Mehta Bows Out of Concert Series with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Due To Health Issues

The American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra today announced that Maestro Zubin Mehta has been forced to bow out of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's upcoming 2019 U.S. Tour (Feb. 2-9) due to health reasons. Filling in for Mehta on the six-city tour is Yoel Levi, one of the world's leading conductors, known for his vast repertoire, masterly interpretations and electrifying performances.

The IPO's 2019 U.S. Tour was to mark Maestro Mehta's final U.S. tour before he retires as Music Director of the IPO in 2019, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional musicianship and humanitarianism.

The unexpected news of Zubin's cancellation is an unfortunate turn of events, but we are grateful to Yoel for stepping in to conduct what we know will be a very exciting and uplifting U.S. Tour for the IPO, said David Hirsch, President of the Board of the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Hirsch continued, We had been looking forward to celebrating and honoring Zubin's immeasurable contributions to the Israel Philharmonic, during what would have been his final U.S. tour as Music Director. All concerts on this tour conducted by Yoel will still be performed in recognition of Zubin.

Levi has had a long-standing relationship with the IPO, notably as the first Israeli to serve as Principal Guest Conductor of the Israel Philharmonic. Levi is Chief Conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul, a position he has held since 2014. Having conducted some of the most prestigious orchestras throughout the world and appearing with esteemed soloists, Levi has led orchestras in North America that include the Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras, the Boston, Chicago and San Francisco Symphonies, and the New York Philharmonic, to name a very few.

The IPO's 2019 U.S. Tour will kick off with a Feb. 2 concert at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville, NY, that will feature performances of Schubert's Symphony No. 3 and Bruckner's Symphony No. 7.

On Feb. 3, the orchestra will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York, where the audience will hear Partos' Concertino for Strings, Beethoven's Romance No. 1 in G major, Op. 40, Beethoven's Romance No. 2 in F major, Op. 50, Kreisler's Liebesleid, John Williams' Theme from 'Schindler's List,' Kreisler's Liebesfreud featuring violinist Itzhak Perlman, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6. Preceding the concert will be a special Benefit Brunch.

The IPO will then perform on Feb. 5 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, where the program will be Schubert's Symphony No. 3 and Bruckner's Symphony No. 7.

The following night, Feb. 6, the orchestra will perform at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, where the program will feature Schubert's Symphony No. 3 and Bruckner's Symphony No. 7.

On Feb. 7, the IPO will perform at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, FL, where the program will be Partos' Concertino for Strings, Schubert's Symphony No. 3 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6.

The orchestra will conclude its tour with a Feb. 9 concert at the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan (Hill Auditorium) in Ann Arbor, MI, where it will perform Partos' Concertino for Strings, Schubert's Symphony No. 3 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6.

Individual concert tickets are being sold by each venue.