Nessun Dormageddon: Audience members ‘boo and throw things’ after Royal Opera House chief steps in for sick tenor
Royal Opera boss sings Turandot from wings in trainers after star falls ill
- The Royal Opera House's head of music, Richard Hetherington, stepped in to sing the lead tenor role of Prince Calàf during a performance of Puccini's Turandot after Roberto Alagna fell ill.
- Hetherington, dressed in chinos and trainers, sang from the wings while a choreologist acted out the part on stage during the Tuesday evening show.
- The challenging “Nessun Dorma” aria was omitted from the performance, and some audience members reportedly booed or left, while others praised Hetherington's bravery.
- The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) described the situation as “exceptionally rare” and offered customers 50 per cent of their ticket price in credit.
- The incident highlighted the difficulty of the Calàf role, for which major opera houses do not always have a cover or understudy readily available.
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