Sunday, December 03, 2017

Statement from the Metropolitan Opera Regarding James Levine (and an Update)

Received about 20 minutes while I was putting up a pot roast to braise:
The Metropolitan Opera announced today that it is suspending its relationship with James Levine, pending an investigation, following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct committed by Mr. Levine that took place from the 60's to the 80's, including the earlier part of his conducting career at the Met. 
Mr. Levine will not be involved in any Met activities, including conducting scheduled
performances at the Met this season. The Met has appointed Robert J. Cleary, former United States attorney and currently head of the investigations practice at Proskauer Rose, to lead a full and complete investigation into the relevant facts. 
“Based on these new reports, the Met has made the decision to act now, while we await the results of the investigation,” said Peter Gelb, Met General Manager, whose actions are fully supported by the leadership of the Met Board and its Executive Committee. “This is a tragedy for anyone whose life has been affected.” 
There will be no further comments or statement regarding this issue from the Met at this time.
Multiple allegations from the 60s to the 80s? New reports? I must have missed something.

Here's the update, in a Times story from Michael Cooperthree two more men, with their names in the paper, have gone to the Met to say "this happened." The third is the man who filed the police report.

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