The Royal Opera House has announced who will step into Rolando Villazón's shoes in an important new production of Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore after the tenor cancelled all his autumn engagements for health reasons.
Two young singers will now share the role of Nemorino. Italian tenor Stefano Secco, who was already scheduled to sing two of the performances, will now sing the part on 13, 17, 22, 24 and 26 November, while Russian tenor Dmitry Korchak will sing it on 19 and 29 November.
Though he was to have sung on 19 and 24 November, Secco will now benefit from singing on the press night of the production, when critics from around the world will be in evidence. He is currently to be heard singing Alfredo in La traviata at the Paris Opéra - the opening night is tonight, 15 October - while other recent roles include Des Grieux (Manon) in Barcelona, Adorno (Simon Boccanegra) in Paris and Zurich, Rodolfo (La bohčme) in Bologna and Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto) in Toulouse.
Meanwhile, Korchak may be on the brink of world fame. Winner of the 2004 Francisco Vinas International Competition in Barcelona and two prizes at Placido Domingo's Operalia Competition in Los Angeles, he sang in this production at the Paris Opéra in September 2007. His other recent appearances include Giannetto (La gazza ladra) in Pesaro and Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) in Brussels, and he was heard in recital in London (June 2007) as part of the Rosenblatt recital series.
Both tenors, though far from belonging to the operatic superstar league that Villazón undoubtedly enjoys, seem well equipped to take over from him. According to the Royal Opera House website, 'The rest of the cast remains unchanged with Aleksandra Kurzak as Adina, Paolo Gavanelli as Dulcamara, Ludovoc Tézier as Belcore and Jette Parker Young Artist Kishani Jayasinghe as Giannetta. Mikko Franck conducts all performances.'
For more information, see the Royal Opera House website.