We look back at the most beloved American conductor's illustrious career as he passes on the MET's baton: James Levine.

Yannick Nezet-Seguin, recently named the new music director of the Metropolitan Opera, had his company debut in 2009 at the tender age of 34. That's pretty young for a conductor... 

Not as young as James Levine was when he conducted Tosca at the MET in 1971, though. He was only 28. The following year, he was named principal conductor, became the music director in 1976, and artistic director in 1986.

This 2011 documentary from PBS' American Masters series illuminates the magic of James Levine and the profound impact he's had on the musicians he's nurtured, the audiences he's guided, and on how we see the entire classical genre. A man of great integrity and endless patience, as passionate as he is kind; this Maestro will be missed.

In six parts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Mid-week Musicology at Classic107.com!