Denis Fodor:

>But having experienced him at rehearsals. . .

The only James Levine rehearsal I've attended so far was quite disgraceful.
He arrived late, so late, in fact, that someone had to step in and
start the rehearsal without him.  When he did turn up he gestured to the
conductor to continue, and sat down with his towel over his shoulder, and
just listened till the end.  He then spoke a few words to the rehearsal
conductor, sotto voce, said a general thank you very much, and departed.
No-one had the faintest idea what he wanted or how he intended to indicate
it.  The concert, needless to say, was uninspired.  The maestro, needless
to say, received a huge ovation.

Alan Moss