Breaking: Kaufmann cancels London ‘due to Covid impact on his voice’

Message from the ROH Covent Gare:

The Royal Opera House today announces that sadly Jonas Kaufmann has withdrawn from the opening performance of Cavalleria rusticana / Pagliacci on Tuesday 5 July 2022. He has also withdrawn from all further performances of Pagliacci in this double bill. This is due to suffering from Covid and the impact this has on his voice. We hope that Mr. Kaufmann will be well enough to sing the role of Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana in the later performances of this run.

This is the first indication of long Covid aftershocks in a leading singer.

ROH goes on to say: SeokJong Baek will sing the role of Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana on Tuesday 5 July 2022 – making his role debut alongside Aleksandra Kurzak (Santuzza), Dimitri Platanias (Alfio) and Aigul Akhmetshina (Lola), conducted by Antonio Pappano.