Boston symphony conductor, recovering from back surgery, withdraws from summer concerts

Boston symphony conductor to miss summer concerts

BOSTON — Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor James Levine (luh-VYNE’) is withdrawing from his summer concerts to continue recovering from back surgery.

The 66-year-old Levine said in a statement Tuesday he’s canceling the dates at the orchestra’s summer home at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass., “with great personal disappointment.” He says the time off will ensure he’s ready to return to the orchestra and New York’s Metropolitan Opera this fall.

Levine had said in an Associated Press interview last month he was happy with his progress but uncertain if he would be able to keep the summer dates.

A symphony executive says Michael Tilson Thomas will conduct the July 9 opener and two other performances. Christoph von Dohnanyi, Hans Graf and Johannes Debus will fill in other dates.