Ricardo Massi to Take Over Role in Metropolitan Opera's AIDA

Marcelo Álvarez, who makes his Met role debut as Radamès in Aida this season, has withdrawn from the final three performances of the run. He will still sing Radamès on February 9, 13, 16, and 20, but then must return to Europe for eye surgery. Riccardo Massì will make his Met debut as Radamès on February 23, and Marcello Giordani adds the role to his extensive Met repertoire on February 28 and March 3 matinee. Roberto De Biasio will replace Giordani as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly on March 2.

Italian tenor Riccardo Massì is a graduate of the Accademia della Scala program in Milan. He sang Radamès in 2009 in Salerno under the baton of Daniel Oren, and has sung other roles at La Scala, Berlin State Opera, Rome Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, and in concert at Amsterdam’s Concertegebouw, as well as in Trieste, Salzburg, Rio de Janeiro, and Lima.

Marcello Giordani has sung 23 leading roles at the Met since his debut in 1995, including the Met premieres of Benvenuto Cellini, La Damnation de Faust, and Il Pirata. This season, in addition to Radamès, he sings the title role in Ernani and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, a role he performed in the premiere of Anthony Minghella’s new production in 2006.

Roberto De Biasio made his Met debut last season as Gabriele Adorno in Simon Boccanegra. He returns to sing the title role of Ernani this season beginning February 2 as well as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly on February 17, 25, and March 2.

Aida also stars Violeta Urmana in the title role, with Stephanie Blythe as Amneris, Lado Ataneli as Amonasro, James Morris as Ramfis, and Jordan Bisch as the King. Marco Armiliato conducts.