Met fires Levine after harassment investigation

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Opera fired music director emeritus James Levine on Monday after an investigation found evidence of sexual abuse and harassment toward what it said were “vulnerable artists in the early stages of their careers.”

He was suspended by the Met in December pending the investigation.

Levine, 74, had been a towering figure at the Met, ruling over its repertoire, orchestra and singers as music or artistic director from 1976 until he stepped down two years ago because of poor health.

In December, the Ravinia Festival, where Levine served as music director for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s summer residencies from 1973-93, severed ties with him. Levine was to begin a five-year term as Ravinia’s conductor laureate in summer 2018. Chicago Symphony Orchestra also ended its ties to Levine.