Updated to iTunes 11.0.1 on my iMac 10.6.8 and it crashes every single time on launch.

Question

As above, I foolishly updated to iTunes 11.0.1 after a software update prompt on my iMac 10.6.8, thinking I was doing a good thing getting my machine ready for my daughter's new iPad mini tomorrow.
As it stands, the iPad is going to be such a let down as iTunes is crashing every single time on launch, never my own frustration having no access to my tunes. Thanks a bunch Apple.
Can someone please state in easy to follow instructions how I might repair iTunes.
If it helps with a solution, I have a Jan 2012 backup of the app which I cannot open receiving the following message:-
"The file “iTunes Library.itl” cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes. Would you like to download iTunes now?"
The actual error the new iTunes is giving is below:-
Process:         iTunes [445]
Path:            /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunes
Identifier:      com.apple.iTunes
Version:         11.0.1 (11.0.1)
Build Info:      iTunes-1101012001000000~1
Code Type:       X86 (Native)
Parent Process:  launchd [111]
Date/Time:       2012-12-24 07:46:06.599 +0000
OS Version:      Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549)
Report Version:  6
Interval Since Last Report:          302421 sec
Crashes Since Last Report:           14
Per-App Interval Since Last Report:  454 sec
Per-App Crashes Since Last Report:   14
Anonymous UUID:                      C93206E3-0B10-4192-81DA-96A191E026FC
Exception Type:  EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGBUS)
Exception Codes: 0x000000000000000a, 0x000000001d3a9000
Crashed Thread:  17
In anticipation, thanks.

Answer 1

Thanks Mike.
What I have ended up doing is
purchasing Snow Mountain 10.8.2 & installing
doing the disk repairs as you stated
rebooted
and eventually things seem okay with iTunes having synced an iPod, viewed playlists and played a load of tunes.
Disappointed Apple have again failed with a piece of software and have taken £13.99 that I needn't have spent but pleased to not be letting the daughter down tomorrow.
Thanks for your help Mike.
Happy Christmas.