WilliamM

Juan Gutierrez

I am not Irish, but occasionally went to New York City to"celebrate. My last name could be Irish, so I am "Irish" for one day a year.

WHAT JAMES LEVINE WANTS March 16, 2018 by norman lebrecht 18 comments. The saying at the Met for the past 40 years has been ‘what Jimmy wants, Jimmy gets’. Last night Levine filed a $5.8 million lawsuit against the Metropolitan Opera, claiming unfair dismissal. Money aside, he also wants a reinstatement of his reputation. The Met has told him it will resist both demands. So what’s really going on? Levine’s past protestations of loyalty to the Met are being undermined by a hefty lawsuit that the company can ill afford. He would have known that before launching his claim. The Met, for its part, cannot afford for the case to come to court in case any of its officers is shown to have been aware of the conductor’s alleged misdemeanours. So there will be a financial settlement, some way short of $5.8 million, funded by one or two board members. And something else. Levine made it clear last night in his deposition that he felt betrayed by Peter Gelb, whom he accused of ‘a longstanding personal campaign to force Levine out of the Met.’ Levine helped put Gelb in his job 12 years ago. Now he’s signalling to the board that he won’t go quietly if Gelb keeps his seat. Gelb has just become a bargaining chip. Somebody is going to blink Comment: I do not know Mr. Lebtrecht, or any of his past comment, but some of his points makes sense.

No surprise. James Levine is taking legal action against the Met.

James Levine has brought a lawsuit against the Met: The New York Times headline: Star Conductor, Fired Over Abuse Allegations, Sues Metropolitan Opera The Lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, states that Mr. Levine "has clearly and unequivocally denied any wrongdoing in connection with those allegations," and paints his firing as a result of an effort by the Met's general manger, Peter Gelb, "to oust Levine from the Met and completely erase his legacy from the organization. The suit seeks more than $5.8 million in damages. Comment: Is this the correct decision for someone suffering from Parkinson's Disease. It is a very cruel disease.

German actress Marlene Dietrich recorded iive in Rio (1959). First sung by Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady."

From "Funny Girl"

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