BOSTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- James Levine, longtime artistic director of the Metropolitan Opera and considered one of the world's leading conductors, has been selected to take over as the first American-born music director in the 121-year history of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Levine will take over the BSO in 2004, replacing music director Seiji Ozawa.
The BSO's board of trustees voted unanimously Sunday to offer the post to Levine, and he accepted.
In a statement, Levine said: "I have loved the Boston Symphony since I was in my early teens. It is a magnificent orchestra that is dedicated to making music at the highest level. Its home, Symphony Hall, is simply the best. The city of Boston is unique in its emphasis on education and culture."
Levine, 58, has been with the Met since 1971 and is credited with transforming the opera's orchestra into one of the world's finest.
The Met on Sunday also announced it has renewed Levine's contract through the 2006-2007 season. When he takes over in Boston in August 2004, Levine will give up his title as artistic director of the Met and again become music director, which calls for fewer administrative duties but not a reduction in the number of his performances.
Ozawa, who served with the BSO for 29 years, leaves this summer to become music director of the Vienna State Opera. In the interim, the BSO will have a number of guest conductors.
"I think the appointment of James Levine is a wonderful decision for the Boston Symphony," Ozawa said in a statement. "I've known Jimmy for many years and I know this will signal the start of a great era for this orchestra I love so much."
Levine, who kept up a challenging schedule at the Met, the Munich Philharmonic, and elsewhere, made a 5-year commitment to the BSO.
He plans to lead the orchestra in 12 weeks of the orchestra's 23-week schedule each year, and three weeks each summer at the BSO's Tanglewood Music Festival.
Ozawa will lead his final concert as music director at Tanglewood on July 14.
Levine, born on June 23, 1943, in Cincinnati, was a prodigy pianist and was a featured in a performance with the Cincinnati Symphony at the age of 10.
He studied at New York's Julliard School of Music and became assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra in 1965. He made his debut at the Met at 28, and served as its music director or artistic director for 21 of those years.
