Two more changes to Jonas Kaufmann’s Elgar
mainToby Spence was supposed to stand in for the German star in Berlin’s Dream of Gerontius tonight.
But it appears he has also pulled out.
Andrew Staples is standing in at the last minute.
So is Catherine Wyn-Rogers, who is replacing Sarah Connolly.
Thomas Hampson is still there. Barenboim conducts.
Announcement here.
I hear that it’s almost impossible to obtain non-appearance insurance cover for Kauffman. There are (supposedly (medical) problems which are never disclosed. This Gerontius is just the latest in a long line of high-level cancellations by him. It’s a wonder anyone still books tickets t see him.
A lot of people sick at the moment with the change of season and singers not exempted. Lovely replacements for sure. With Catherine singing, she could even possibly persuade me, at my stage of life, to actually like Gerontius and Cardinal Newman’s theology!!
A friend of mine who went to the General Probe says Catherine W-R was particularly fine.
I’m hearing exactly the same thing. Hardly surprising.
Andrew Staples is a brilliant singer and the right voice for this piece.
+1