Conductor James Levine has said sexual misconduct allegations against him are “unfounded.”
Levine’s Full Statement:
“As understandably troubling as the accusations noted in recent press accounts are, they are unfounded.
As anyone who truly knows me will attest, I have not lived my life as an oppressor or an aggressor.
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.
The Met has appointed a law firm to investigate his actions — Levine has been the Met’s music director for 40 years.