CSO announces subs for “Pelleas” due to illness

Mon May 11, 2015 at 3:28 pm

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Jenny Carlstedt will make her U.S. debut in this week's CSO concert performances of Debussy's "Pelleas et Melisande," replacing Christina Rice. Photo: Kjell Soderlund
Jenny Carlstedt will make her U.S. debut in this week’s CSO concert performances of Debussy’s “Pelleas et Melisande,” replacing Christine Rice. Photo: Kjell Soderlund

Illness has befallen the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming performances of Pelleas et Melisande with two of the leading singers bowing out of this week’s concerts, to be conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Christine Rice has withdrawn from the role of Melisande in the Debussy opera due to a throat infection. She will be replaced by Finnish-Swedish mezzo-soprano Jenny Carlstedt, who will make her U.S. debut.

Eric Owens has also withdrawn from the Pelleas cast due to illness, necessitating a shuffling of the roster. Sir Williard White, originally slated to sing Arkel, will now sing Golaud, and David Govertsen will now sing Arkel. Bradley Smoak will take on Govertsen’s scheduled roles as the Doctor and Shepherd. Smoak will also replace Owens in the Friday matinee of Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortileges.

Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and May 19. cso.org; 312-294-3000.

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