Jean-Francois Borras to Make Met Debut in WERTHER; Jonas Kaufmann Takes Ill

Jean-François Borras will make his Met debut in the title role of Massenet's Werther at this evening's performance, replacing Jonas Kaufmann, who is ill.

The French tenor's recent performances with other opera companies have included the Chevalier des Grieux in Massenet's Manon at Rome Opera and Paris Opera; Foresto in Verdi's Attila at Rome Opera, conducted by Riccardo Muti; Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata at Tel Aviv Opera and Monte Carlo Opera; Cinna in Spontini's La Vestale at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris; and Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème at the Theatro Municipal in São Paulo. Later this spring, he will sing the title role in Werther with the Greek National Opera in Athens.

The Met's new production of Werther, directed by Richard Eyre and conducted by Alain Altinoglu, also stars Sophie Koch as Charlotte, Lisette Oropesa as Sophie, David Biži as Albert, and Jonathan Summers as Le Bailli.