Biography
James Levine was an American conductor and pianist. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he studied piano from a young age and made his orchestral debut at ten with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He attended the Juilliard School, where he studied conducting with Jean Morel, graduating in 1964.
Levine began his professional career as assistant conductor to George Szell with the Cleveland Orchestra. In 1971 he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, where he served as principal conductor from 1973, music director from 1975, and artistic director from 1986. He also held positions with the Ravinia Festival and other ensembles.
Levine conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for six segments of the 1999 film Fantasia 2000, in which he also appeared as Self - Host in the "Pomp and Circumstance" segment. He died in Palm Springs, California, in 2021.
