Anna Netrebko has cancelled the highly-anticipated production in Munich of Puccini's "Manon Lescaut" and the news has caused a domino effect in the opera world.

Netrebko, who was scheduled to sing alongside superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann, noted that she had artistic differences and therefore would withdraw from the production. The new production will be directed by Hans Neuenfels, who is known for his polarizing productions.

Munich's general manager, Nikolaus Bachler, said "The Bayerische Staatsoper is well known for combining first-class musical quality with exciting and innovative directorial approaches. In this field this can, of course, mean that in rare cases certain artistic constellations don't work out."

It was one of the most highly-anticipated productions of the year, as it was reuniting Kaufmann and Netrebko for the first time in a staged production since 2008 and all performances were sold out.

Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais will now take over the Munich production and has been released from her Metropolitan Opera contract to sing November performances of Puccini's "La Boheme." Opolais sang the role of "Manon Lescaut" over the summer with Kaufmann in London where the two scored rave reviews. The Independent of UK raved and called their chemistry "a vocal marriage made in heaven." The production was also broadcast in movie theaters around the world and performances were completely sold out.

Opolais has been making headlines throughout the year, and earlier in April, she stepped in for an ailing Anita Hartig and sang the title role of "La Boheme" a day after a performance of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." The "Boheme" performance was all the more special as it was broadcast in HD around the world and later was shown on PBS.

As result of Opolais' "Boheme" cancellations, Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva will take on the role of Mimi and replace Opolais. This is Yoncheva's second schedule change at the Met. Last week, it was announced that she would take over the role of Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata" and replace an ailing Marina Poplavskaya. Now, she will make her role debut as Mimi in "La Boheme."

Yoncheva was originally scheduled for Musetta in January performances of "La Boheme." The Bulgarian soprano has had a breakout this past season. Earlier this year, she stepped in for Netrebko at the Royal Opera House and Baden Baden in the role of Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust." She also made her Met debut earlier than expected, as she replaced a pregnant Aleksandra Kurzak in the role of Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto."

Netrebko recently performed a highly-acclaimed production of "Macbeth" at the Met that Latin Post called one of the "most electrifying nights in recent opera history." The soprano will next be seen in December in concert performances and in January will return to the Met for performances of Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta." In March and April, she will reprise the title role of Donizetti's "Anna Bolena" in Zurich and Vienna. Her 2014-15 season will conclude with concert performances of "Iolanta" and a production of "La Boheme" at the Royal Opera House.

The Munich performances of Puccini's "Manon Lescaut" will run from Nov. 15 to Dec. 7. The production will return in July for two performances during the summer festival with no soprano currently attached.

Related