London orchestra loses half its opening stars

You need luck as an orchestra in a competitive city and the Philharmonia is not getting much at the moment.

Its season opens tonight with Verdi’s Requiem.

This morning it became known that two soloists have pulled out.

This performance was originally advertised with Natalya Romaniw as the soprano soloist. We’re delighted that she is expecting a baby later in the autumn. For reasons relating to her pregnancy she has reluctantly had to withdraw. We are extremely grateful to Susannne Bernhard for stepping (sic) at short notice. Due to ill-health, Christoph Fischesser is also unable to perform. We are extremely grateful to Tariq Nazmi for stepping in at short notice.

(Natalya says: ‘Unfortunately I have had to withdraw from what would’ve been my last concert pre Motherhood. I’m very sad not to be participating in tonight’s Verdi Requiem… but breathing at 36 weeks pregnant has become somewhat challenging!’)

The Philharmonia has recently lost a princpal horn to the LSO and is coming to terms with the career pause of its Principal Guest Conductor Emeritus, John Eliot Gardiner.

Not a lot of luck going its way.