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Royal Opera Offers Half Refund After Offstage Stand-In Ends Turandot

Boos followed the cut of "Nessun dorma" during a final act led by an unseen replacement.

Overview

  • Star tenor Roberto Alagna fell ill after the second act and could not complete the performance of Puccini's Turandot in London.
  • Music director Richard Hetherington sang the role of Prince Calàf from behind the curtain while choreographer Kate Flatt performed the onstage movements in costume.
  • The signature aria "Nessun dorma" was omitted, prompting audible displeasure from parts of the audience.
  • The Royal Opera House told AFP it offered affected attendees a 50% refund by email.
  • An onstage announcement before Act III informed the audience that Calàf would not be seen because a non-opera singer would provide the vocals offstage.