Michael Todd Simpson Will Sing Lescaut in Met's MANON Tonight; Paulo Szot Taken Ill

Michael Todd Simpson will sing the role of Lescaut in this evening's performance of Massenet's Manon, replacing Paulo Szot, who is ill.

Simpson made his Met role debut as Lescaut in the April 14 performance. Earlier this season, he sang Streshnev in Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina. He made his Met debut as Hermann and Schlémil in the 2010 new production premiere of Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffman.

Manon, conducted by Fabio Luisi, also stars Anna Netrebko as Manon, Piotr Beczala as the Chevalier des Grieux, and David Pittsinger as Comte des Grieux.

Photo credit: Ken Allen