Rolando Villazón has withdrawn from the title role in the Met's new production of Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, scheduled for December 3, 2009 through January 2, 2010. He announced today that he is undergoing throat surgery and expects to return to the stage in 2010. The Metropolitan Opera looks forward to his return in future seasons.
A replacement for the role of Hoffmann will be announced at a later date.
A powerhouse team joins forces for Offenbach's psychological fantasy. James Levine conducts, and Tony Award® winner Bart Sher (South Pacific) returns after the triumph of his Met Barber of Seville to direct. Inspired by Kafka, Sher describes his production as "a magical journey in which the character works out different manifestations of his psyche." Anna Netrebko stars as the tragic Antonia opposite Elina Garanca as the ambiguous Nicklausse, and René Pape as the demonic four villains.
Videos