James Levine (born on June 23, 1943) is an American conductor and pianist. He is renowned for his remarkable career as the music director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, serving from 1976 to 2016. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Levine began studying piano at a young age and made his conducting debut with the Metropolitan Opera at the mere age of 28. Throughout his career, he has conducted numerous orchestras worldwide, including the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic. Levine is widely recognized for his exceptional musicality, technical expertise, and ability to interpret a wide range of musical styles. Despite health issues that have forced him to step back from conducting in recent years, he remains a highly respected figure in the classical music field.