We knew something was up when Anja Harteros pulled out of the December 4 final dress/anteprima of the new Claus Guth Lohengrin that opens Teatro alla Scala's 2012-13 season tonight (well, in two hours) and was replaced by Ann Petersen.
We were even more baffled when earlier, La Scala sent out a handful of official cast photos, noticeably absent any photos of Elsa -- Harteros, Petersen, whoever.
Now Teatro alla Scala announces on its website:
Cast change on 7 December - Annett Dasch from Bayreuth to La Scala
Due to a persistent flu, Mrs. Anja Harteros is forced to postpone her debut in Lohengrin, which opens our 2012/2013 Season. With Mrs. Ann Petersen also having contracted a similar indisposition, the part of Elsa will be sung by Mrs. Annette Dasch, who has sung the role since 2010 at the Wagner Festival in Bayreuth.
The Teatro alla Scala wishes to thank Mrs. Dasch, who arrived last night in Milan, and with her generosity has given a sign of her affection to the Theatre and friendship to La Scala.
So how's that for opening night drama?