Bumbry was among the winners of the 1958 Met National Council Auditions. She had a recital debut in Paris that same year and made her Paris Opéra debut in 1960.

As we reflect on the year gone by, Classical WFMT salutes the contributions of members of the arts community who died this past year.

Conductor James Levine, who ruled over the Metropolitan Opera for more than four decades before being eased aside when his health declined and then fired for sexual improprieties, has died.

A former recording executive and television producer, Gelb was hired by then-Met Chairwoman Beverly Sills in October 2004 to take over two seasons later.

The opera legend indicated that he would never again perform at the Met.

Gelb said the season that ended Saturday saw 69 percent of box office revenue capacity realized, up from 67 percent in each of the previous two seasons and a low of 66 percent in 2015-16.

A New York judge on Tuesday dismissed portions of a lawsuit filed by former Metropolitan Opera music director James Levine against the company last year.

The Metropolitan Opera will hire an all-black outside chorus next season for its first presentation in nearly three decades of the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.

Rome’s opera house on Friday defended hiring conductor Daniele Gatti, who was fired by an Amsterdam-based orchestra last summer over sexual misconduct allegations.

The company says “it would be inappropriate and impossible for Mr. Levine to continue to work at the Met.”

James Levine, recently retired music director of the Metropolitan Opera, has been named conductor laureate of the Ravinia Festival.

This summer’s festival is anchored by the eighty-second annual residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Sauer began her long tenure with the CSO in 1959 when Music Director Fritz Reiner invited her to perform with the orchestra. During the 1967-68 season, Music Director Jean Martinon officially added her to the roster. She was named principal piano at the start of the 2000-01 season.