Nicky Spence is forced to give up Covent Garden role
NewsThe Scottish tenor Nicky Spence, who is recovering from breaking both legs, has given up the male title role in Saint-Saens’ Samson et Dalila in May and June.
The ROH says:
The Royal Opera House today announces that sadly Nicky Spence will no longer sing the role of Samson in the upcoming performances of Samson et Dalila (26 May-19 June).
Following his injury earlier in the year, the Royal Opera and Nicky have mutually agreed that the rigours of this production are such that neither party wishes to negatively impact Nicky’s recovery. The Royal Opera look forward to welcoming Nicky back as soon as we can.
Nicky Spence said: “It is with a heavy heart and despite making excellent progress in rehabilitation that we’ve agreed my withdrawal from the role, which has been a joy to prepare.”
South Korean tenor SeokJong Baek will perform the role of Samson – making his Royal Opera House and role debut opposite Elīna Garanča’s Dalila in Camille Saint-Saëns’s grand-opera, directed by multi award-winning director Richard Jones and conducted by Music Director of the Royal Opera, Antonio Pappano.
Hello! I wanted to issue a personal statement following my withdrawal from Samson et Dalila @RoyalOperaHouse… dealing with my injuries has been a real eye opener but I’m so thankful for perspective and the kindness of many x pic.twitter.com/j12Qg9gVzI
— (@nickythespence) March 29, 2022
…. when the words “break a leg” sound equivocal (sighing) …
What a shame for Nicky and the public. An inspirational colleague and mentor we look forward to his return to the stage once he has fully recovered.
This is sad news as I was looking forward to hearing Nicky Spence.
But I’m sorry, is SeokJong Baek really the best the ROH could come up with? I have never heard of him but just listened to his attempt to shout his way through Celeste Aida on YouTube. He sounds like an overenthusiastic amateur. Dreadful.
I’m going to exchange my ticket for something else.
So mean-spirited! Go with an open heart, and not judge a singer by some YouTube thing. People like you make our lives so much harder than it is already.
“I’ve never heard of him”. That says it all. You’re passing judgement on a poor-quality video from a vocal competition????
Even given his very young age, his voice sounds pretty extraordinary. Hardly an amateur. Yes, do us all a favor and please exchange your ticket.
I hope you are feeling appropriately and suitably foolish now the tenor has made his debut.
He was terrific (I saw the show on 13 June).
And of course I agree Una’s comment ; have an open hear and give folk a first hand chance even if you are very disappointed about a cast change.
We all recall that Sir Bryn Terfel sustained multiple fractures to an ankle during rehearsals in Spain a couple of years ago, which severely affecting his schedule for some time. With very best wishes to Mr Spence – opera is a more hazardous profession than we’d thought!