Just in: Top soprano is battling Covid

The Belarussian mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk is in hospital in St Petersburg with a severe Covid infection. Semenchuk, 45, has cancelled her intended debut at Bavarian State Opera.

She writes:
My dear friends, opera and Mariinsky theater fans, and just kind and caring people! I am writing from my page as soon as the strength and opportunity appeared to inform you that I am alive, but at the moment I am fighting COVID under the supervision of serious specialists. Due to illness, I had to cancel my participation in the operas Sadko, the Made of Orleans and Aida at the Mariinsky Theater, as well as the performances of Aida and Macbeth at the Bavarian State Opera, where my debut was to take place. I hope to see you as soon as possible and wish you all a lot of strength, health, optimism and love! Thank you for support ! Many thanks to my family, my loved ones and relatives, my teachers and friends! Special thanks to doctors and nurses! Hearted thanks for your service, for your time, life, knowledge and mercy!