Bass-baritone singer Bryn Terfel has pulled out of the Royal Opera's highly anticipated performance of the «Ring» cycle, the opera said Monday.
Terfel, who had been scheduled to sing the key part of Wotan in German composer Richard Wagner's four-part epic drama in October, said he would not perform for personal reasons. «I have had a particularly stressful family situation involving one of my children this summer which has affected the time I had put aside to prepare for this challenging role», Terfel said in a statement carried by the Opera's Web site. «Having begun rehearsals it is clear to me that I would not be able to perform at the standard I would wish to».
He'll be replaced by John Tomlinson.
Best wishes to Bryn and his family -- we *heart* him vaery vaery much.