Cecilia Bartoli’s much anticipated début as Isabella in L’italiana in Algeri this weekend has been cancelled.

The Italian girl in Dortmund, where the concert performance of Rossini’s opera was planned for Friday 27 June  and Sunday 29 June, is ill. Being that her presence in the cast is the main reason for buying a ticket, there will not be a substitution.

Jean-Christophe Spinosi has been rehearsing L’Ensemble Matheus and cast for the past week. Simone Alaimo was due to sing Mustafa, Rebeca Olvera was cast as Elvira, Maxim Mironov as Lindoro, Carlos Chausson as Taddeo,  Liliana Nikiteanu as Zulma and  Peter Kalman as Haly.

Benedikt Stampa, Artistic Director of the Konzerthaus Dortmund, said,

This morning Cecilia called me: She has fallen ill and is inconsolable that she won’t be able to sing.

Together with Cecilia Bartoli, and with a heavy heart, we have decided to cancel both planned performances this coming Friday and Sunday after considering all options. So much were these concerts tailored around her personality and voice that a performance without her was just not feasible.

Cecilia Bartoli is sending her kindest regards to her Dortmund audience; her sickness and indisposition saddens herself most of all. At the same time she already spoke about future projects in Dortmund to make amends for the cancelled concerts in another form – we will of course keep you informed about such pleasant perspectives.

Refunds can be had by contacting the ticket office on +49 231 – 22 696 200 or [email protected]