In case you missed it, read here to understand the reason for the whole "Filianoti Fiasco".
***update***
Opera Chic has learned that earlier today (Saturday) attempts have been made by la Scala to find a third tenor who could appear in at least some shows to give some relief to Stuart Neill who has become as of now the lead tenor in the production.
*****update*****
Filianoti, contrary to some Milanese rumors, has not, repeat, NOT, been fired by Daniele Gatti. He obviously needs rest and may appear at a later date; but certainly not tomorrow night and not on the night of the tenth. Whether Filianoti will be eventually replaced completely and will step down, is not clear at this point. But he has not been fired.
*******update*******
Matti Salminen's not feeling that great either; he was too under the weather to appear as the Inquisitor in the "General Rehearsal 4 teh kids" thing they had on Thursday, and Anatoly Kotscherga replaced him (not that memorably, it is said). Well, Salminen might have to give up tomorrow night, too. The good news is, as of now, Furlanetto and Cedolins are feeling good (not really Dolora Zajick who injured her arm but is going on stage as scheduled).
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BREAKING NEWS
Second-stringer American tenor Stuart Neill will sing in tomorrow night's Don Carlo, for the hyped opening night of the 2008/09 la Scala season, replacing tenor Giuseppe Filianoti.
Reports from Scala's general rehearsal of Thursday night's Don Carlo (it's usually open to the friends & relatives of Scala workers, but this year 1700 tickets were sold for 10 euros to kids under 26-years-old, friends & relatives of Scala workers enjoyed a few days earlier the final rehearsal for the second cast) were not promising for Filianoti, who left much to be desired of Verdi's heroic lead. Starting out well, but progressively losing steam in Act III, and finishing in Act IV with a very evident vocal strain.