Metropolitan Opera music director fired

Top conductor James Levine has been fired as the Metropolitan Opera’s music director emeritus following a sex scandal.
Bosses at the New York institution have found “credible evidence” to support claims suggesting Levine was “sexually abusive”.
The maestro released a statement shortly after he was suspended from Met Opera in November (17) and insisted the claims against him were “unfounded”, adding that anyone who knew him would attest he’s no predator.
“I have not lived my life as an oppressor or an aggressor,” said Levine, who has been the Met’s music director for four decades. “I have devoted my energies to the development, growth and nurturing of music and musicians all over the world – particularly with the Metropolitan Opera, where my work has been the lifeblood and passion of my artistic imagination.
“My fervent hope is that in time people will come to understand the truth, and I will be able to continue my work with full concentration and inspiration.”
Three men have accused Levine of abusing them decades ago, when they were teenagers.
Announcing Levine’s suspension on Monday (12Mar18), Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Met, told the New York Times, “While we await the results of the investigation, based on these news reports, the Met has made the decision to act now. This is a tragedy for anyone whose life has been affected.”