Misery.

Star Tenor Sidelined by Fishbone

The Associated Press, 31 January 2007

Star tenor Juan Diego Florez has been forced to cancel all performances in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" because of a throat infection caused by a swallowed fishbone, the company said Thursday.

Doctors in Parma, Italy, have advised the 35-year-old singer that he not perform through mid-March at the earliest, the company said.

American tenor John Osborn, 35, will replace Florez in the role of Count Almaviva for the 12 scheduled performances of the comic opera through March 22.

"We were dismayed to learn of Juan Diego's medical difficulty, especially knowing how much he was looking forward to returning to Lyric, and send all best wishes for his recovery," Lyric's general director William Mason said in a statement. "Fortunately, John Osborn, a major interpreter of the bel canto repertoire, is available on short notice."

After Chicago, Florez's next scheduled appearance is March 31 in his native Peru, where he is to sing the role of the Duke in Verdi's "Rigoletto." He is scheduled to portray Tonio in the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Donizetti's "La Fille du Regiment" starting April 21.