Matthias Goerne Set for WOZZECK at Metropolitan Opera Tonight

Matthias Goerne is stepping into the title role in tonight's opening night performance of Berg's Wozzeck, replacing Thomas Hampson, who has withdrawn due to illness.

The Met approached Goerne, who was in New York performing at Carnegie Hall, yesterday evening when the company's artistic staff learned of Hampson's withdrawal. Goerne sang a solo recital at Carnegie Hall and then considered the offer overnight before agreeing. He is currently en route to the Met where he will rehearse with Maestro James Levine and the company's staff directors. In a serendipitous twist, Goerne attended Monday morning's dress rehearsal of Wozzeck as a guest, allowing him a chance to see the production in advance.

This performance will be Goerne's first time singing Wozzeck at the Met. He has given acclaimed performances in the role with other companies, including the Royal Opera, Covent Garden and the Vienna State Opera, with whom he sang the role last Friday evening in a concert staging at Carnegie Hall. The German baritone made his Met debut in 1998 as Papageno in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte and reprised the role with the company in 2005. This season, he sings numerous roles at the Vienna State Opera, including the title role in a staged production of Wozzeck later this month, Kurwenal in Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, and Amfortas in Wagner's Parsifal.

Wozzeck, conducted by Met Music Director James Levine, also stars Deborah Voigt as Marie, Simon O'Neill as the Drum Major, Peter Hoare as the Captain, and Clive Bayley in his Met debut as the Doctor.

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