The BSO opens the season without the presence of its new music director, James Levine, because of Levine's prior commitments at the Metropolitan Opera. Levine will begin his much-anticipated tenure as music director on October 22, leading the BSO, two choirs, and a star-studded roster of soloists in Mahler's Eight Symphony.

Other season highlights under Levine's baton include the world premiere of Milton Babbit's Concerti for Orchestra, on January 13, 2005, and the debuts of new works by John Harbison and Charles Wuorinen on March 24. Starting on March 11, 2005, Levine will lead three concert performance of Wagner's opera The Flying Dutchman, with soprano Deborah Voigt and baritone Juha Uusitalo, making his BSO debut.

Among the guest conductors on the BSO's 2005-05 schedule are Charles Dutoit, Andr_ Previn, James Conlon, and Robert Spano, who leads the world premiere of a commissioned work by Yehudi Wyner in February 2005. Soloists include cellist Alban Gerhardt, making his BSO debut, and pianists Alfred Brendel, Evgeny Kissin, and Richard Goode.