Just in: Chicago loses its Wotan

The American bass-baritone Eric Owens has withdrawn from Lyric’s Ring cycles in April and May ‘in order to undergo treatment for ongoing health issues’.

This is a major blow for the company, and we wish him well.

His replacements will be Brian Mulligan in Das Rheingold and Alan Held in Die Walküre and Siegfried.

‘I am deeply grateful to Anthony Freud, Sir Andrew Davis, Sir David Pountney, and all my Lyric colleagues for their support at this difficult time,’ said Owens. ‘I am also thankful for the enthusiasm and warmth Lyric’s audiences have shown me over the years that I have lived and worked in Chicago. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for understanding, and my best wishes for the success of Lyric’s amazing Ring.’

Eric Owens was recently an epochal Porgy at the Met.