BSO Conductor Levine To Miss Tanglewood

BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Symphony Orchestra says conductor James Levine is withdrawing from his appearances this summer at Tanglewood on advice of his doctors.

Levine has suffered from recurring back pain, and announced in March he would step down Sept. 1 as the BSO's music director. He missed last summer's Tanglewood performances to recover from back surgery.

Also on Friday, New York's Metropolitan Opera said Levine will miss its tour of Japan, including a performance of Verdi's "Don Carlo" on June 5 that was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his company debut.

The 67-year-old has been the Met's chief conductor, music director or artistic director since 1973. He has missed many
performances in recent years for a variety of health issues.

Levine has been the BSO's music director for seven years.

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