Ms Voigt told press:
“Returning to a role that I love but haven’t sung in a number of seasons, and encountering its unique challenges, has caused me to reconsider keeping it in my repertoire. I’m very disappointed that I feel compelled to withdraw from this production, but am very happy to continue my association with WNO both this season and into the future.”
But Washington residents need not worry as she will be replaced by two fine Isolde's, that we have had the opportunity to hear live on a number of occasions, as Irene Theorin fills in for all dates except the last where the exceptional Alwyn Mellor will step in.
On a side note, we hope that Voigt decides not to leave the role entirely and may reconsider it at a later date. One hopes she ignores the near vitriol of certain faceless individuals on a few opera blogs. It would be interesting to see any one of them stumble on Lepage's machine and get back-up and give a near flawless - and very energetic performance. Or indeed be able to perform a role like Brunnhilde, for the first time, with a "difficult" set, many changes of main cast and indeed conductor.
On positive note she will perform Leonore in Beethoven’s “Fidelio” in Belgium in January and February, and Marie in Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” at the Metropolitan Opera in March.