Richard Hetherington forced to play Prince Calàf in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot after French tenor Roberto Alagna taken ill
In terms of drama at the opera, it will be difficult to surpass Tuesday’s performance of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot after a tenor became unwell leading to a surprise substitution.
A Royal Opera House chief, dressed in a jumper, chinos and trainers, deputised in the lead role after French tenor Roberto Alagna, playing Prince Calàf, became ill after the second act.
In keeping with the adage the show must go on, Richard Hetherington, the theatre’s head of music, stepped in during the performance in central London.
The third act resumed after the character’s showstopper aria Nessun Dorma was omitted, with Hetherington singing from the wings while the show’s choreologist, Tatiana Novaes Coelho, covered his steps in costume.
