Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa has been diagnosed with cancer and is to cancel all performances until the end of June for medical treatment, his office said Thursday, DPA reported.
Ozawa, 74, had a regular medical checkup in December and was found to be suffering from esophageal cancer, the office said.
Ozawa was musical director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for almost three decades until 2004.
He became the first Japanese national to serve as musical director of the Vienna State Opera in 2002. He is scheduled to step down from the position this summer.