Cast changes in Les Contes d'Hoffmann at the Met

Bass René Pape has withdrawn from the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” opening on 3. December. Pape has decided not to add the four villains to his repertory, the company said Tuesday. Alan Held will now sing the roles of Lindorf, Coppelius, Dappertutto and Dr. Miracle.

As it was announced in exclusive on this blog on 26. May 2009, tenor Joseph Calleja will replace Rolando Villazón as Hoffmann, who canceled his appearance when he announced in April that he needed surgery to remove a cyst on his larynx.

The production, conducted by James Levine and John Keenan (23., 26. and 30. December 2009), includes Anna Netrebko as Antonia and Elina Garanca and Kate Lindsey (26., 30. December 2009 and 2. January 2010) as Nicklausse.

The Dec. 19 performance will be simulcast in HD to theaters around the world.

Anna Netrebko 2009-2010 Season