Levine on track to make return at the Met

[September 04, 2008]  BOSTON (AP) -- Conductor James Levine is on track to return to the podium this month at New York's Metropolitan Opera after cancer surgery.

Levine is music director of the Met and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The BSO's managing director, Mark Volpe, said Wednesday that Levine has "great energy" and is "rarin' to go."

The 65-year-old Levine had a kidney removed in July because of a malignant tumor. The BSO says no further treatment is needed.

Levine will conduct Verdi's "Requiem" Sept. 18 at the Met in honor of the late Luciano Pavarotti. He's also scheduled to conduct the opening nights of the Met and the BSO the following week.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.