James Levine

Cincinnati-born pianist and conductor James Levine debuted as a soloist with his notable hometown symphony at the age of 10 and studied formally at the Juilliard School. He joined the Cleveland Orchestra as assistant to George Szell before beginning at the Met in 1971, where he eventually become music director four years later. As an orchestral conductor, his range is nearly all-encompassing, from 18th-century works to 20th-century art music. He is known as an outstanding Mahler interpreter and for conducting Mozart from the piano.