Met extends music director’s term

The Metropolitan Opera says it has extended by five years the contract of music director James Levine.

“Nothing could make me happier than to continue my long association with this great company and to build on all the artistic accomplishments we have made,” Levine said.

Joseph Volpe, the Met’s general manager, said the contract had been extended from 2006-07 through the 2010-11 season.

Levine’s “artistic leadership has been unique and indispensable to our company for over 30 years, and it has been my pleasure to work with him during all the years we’ve shared together here,” said Volpe, who is retiring in August 2006.

Levine made his Metropolitan Opera debut in June 1971, conducting Puccini’s “Tosca.” He became music director at the start of the 1976-77 season and, subsequently, served as artistic director from 1986.

Levine’s title will officially change back to music director next season.