American Masters

James Levine: America's Maestro

AMERICAN MASTERS provides an insider's view into how Levine transformed The Metropolitan Opera's Orchestra into one of the great ensembles, elicited legendary performances from singers and nurtured new generations of artists. The film reveals how Levine's unparalleled musicianship and singular teaching and performance styles make his relationship with the company unique in today's music world.

James Levine Conducts Beethoven's Symphony No. 5

3m 55s

In this clip from James Levine: America's Maestro, Levine conducts the Met Opera Orchestra in their first rehearsal of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 at Carnegie Hall and engages the orchestra with his unique style of direction. James Levine: America's Maestro premieres Wednesday, June 1 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

Previews + Extras

  • James Levine Conducts The Bartered Bride: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    James Levine Conducts The Bartered Bride

    S25 E4 - 4m 52s

    Watch Layla Claire and Paul Appleby perform in the Lindemann Young Artists production of The Bartered Bride, conducted by James Levine, and talk about the experience working with Maestro. This clip is an outtake from James Levine: America's Maestro.

  • Levine on his Childhood: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Levine on his Childhood

    S25 E4 - 2m 35s

    In this outtake from James Levine: America's Maestro, James Levine remembers growing up with a father who led a dance band that broadcast from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and recalls his first piano lessons.

  • Levine on Conducting: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Levine on Conducting

    S25 E4 - 1m 41s

    In this outtake from James Levine: America's Maestro, James Levine gives an explanation of his unique approach to conducting an orchestra - how he believes in being a "teacher conductor."

  • James Levine Conducts Simon Boccanegra: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    James Levine Conducts Simon Boccanegra

    S25 E4 - 5m 19s

    In this clip from James Levine: America's Maestro, hear a story from David Langlitz, the Principal Trombone for the Met Orchestra, that illuminates Levine's unique sensitivity to sound and watch Levine conduct a dress rehearsal of Simon Boccanegra with Placido Domingo. James Levine: America's Maestro premieres Wednesday June 1st, 2011 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

  • Layla Claire Rehearses with James Levine: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Layla Claire Rehearses with James Levine

    S25 E4 - 2m 33s

    In this clip from James Levine: America's Maestro, watch Maestro Levine rehearse with and give advice to the young artist Layla Claire in List Hall. James Levine: America's Maestro premieres Wednesday June 1st, 2011 at 8 p.m. (check local listings).

  • James Levine Instructs Ed Parks on his Figaro: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    James Levine Instructs Ed Parks on his Figaro

    S25 E4 - 4m 25s

    In this outtake from James Levine: America's Maestro, Levine instructs Ed Parks on how to be an Italian operatic Figaro, teaching him how to make the music his own.

  • James Levine: America's Maestro - Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    James Levine: America's Maestro - Preview

    S25 E4 - 30s

    To celebrate his 40th anniversary at the Metropolitan Opera, Maestro James Levine's life and current work is the subject of a documentary film. 6/1/11

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