The term classical music is used to refer to the music of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras, which ranged roughly from the years 1600 - 1900. Classical musical consists of some of the world's best known and celebrated composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Weber, and many more. Classical music can be heard by orchestras all throughout the world. In modern times The Met Orchestra is very popular among classical music fans.
Coming out of the Renaissance period of music, classical music made a move toward music that was much more expressive than previous forms. Its composers used concepts such as instrumentation in order to invoke emotion in their audiences by writing parts for specific instruments. Today, classical music is often used as the background for major motion pictures in order to produce certain emotions in movie-going audiences. It has also made stars of many solo artists, such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinists Andre Rieu and Joshua Bell. Get your chance to hear some an example of classical music by buying The Met Orchestra tickets from TicketRoom.
| Date | Location | Venue | Price | Get tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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30.01.2025 08:00 |
New York USA |
Carnegie Hall - Isaac Stern Auditorium 30.01.2025 08:00 |
$96.00-$212.40 |
Buy tickets |
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12.06.2025 08:00 |
New York USA |
Carnegie Hall - Isaac Stern Auditorium 12.06.2025 08:00 |
$104.00-$299.51 |
Buy tickets |
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18.06.2025 08:00 |
New York USA |
Carnegie Hall - Isaac Stern Auditorium 18.06.2025 08:00 |
$104.00-$295.84 |
Buy tickets |
James Levine was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 23, 1943. Levine studied piano and violin as a child, graduating from Julliard with credentials in conducting. He joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1971 and was named Music Director in 1976. In addition to his decades of renowned work at the Met, Levine has served as director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and has toured and taught widely.
James Lawrence Levine was born on June 23, 1943, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Levine, who came from a musical family, studied the violin and piano as a child. At the age of 10, he made his solo debut during a youth concert at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
James Levine attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied conducting. After graduating in 1964, he joined the American Conductors project, associated with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He apprenticed with George Szell at the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and spent the remainder of the 1960s as an assistant conductor.
In June 1971, Levine made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, where he conducted a festival performance of Tosca. It was the beginning of a relationship that would span decades. Levine continued to work with the Met until his official appointment to the position of principal conductor in 1973. He advanced to the role of music director in 1976.
Levine's leadership helped to cement the reputation of the Met as one of the world's finest operatic ensembles. He implemented an international touring schedule that increased visibility of his orchestra and chorus worldwide. In 1983, he conducted the Met musicians in creating the score for the film version of La Traviata. Levine also appears opposite Mickey Mouse in the Disney film Fantasia 2000. During this time, Levine also continued to perform as a violinist and pianist.
James Levine has shown an interest in developing young talent throughout his career. From 2000 to 2006, he led a student orchestra in Verbier, Switzerland. He also founded the successful Lindemann Young Artists Development Program at the Met and has conducted youth ensembles at Tanglewood.
In addition to his work with the Met, Levine has a longstanding relationship with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 2004, he began a five-year stint as the music director for the BSO. Although the demands that Levine placed on the BSO finances and on its musicians were substantial, he has been credited with revitalizing the orchestra during his tenure as director. In 2011, facing health concerns and having reached the end of his contract, Levine withdrew from the BSO.
Levine ceased conducting the Met regularly in 2010 due to severe health problems, including sciatica. In 2011, he announced that he would cede principal conducting responsibilities to Fabio Luisi. Though Levine returned to conducting in May 2013, his scheduled professional activity has been limited. He now conducts from a wheelchair with two assistants by his side.