With Kristin Opolais’ cancellation at the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera had to play musical chairs.

According to a press statement, the theater had to release Sonya Yoncheva from her contract of Marguerite in “Faust” in order to be ready for rehearsals at the Met. As a result, Anita Hartig will take over the three performances.

The Vienna State Opera said “The management of the Wiener Staatsoper has released soprano Sonya Yoncheva from her contract for three performances of Faust in January/February 2018 as an act of solidarity and collegiality to the
Metropolitan Opera in order to enable her to take over the premiere and long run of performances of Tosca in New York. The artist will instead return to the Vienna State Opera as Tosca in the 2019/2020 season. Sonya Yoncheva will be replaced by Anita Hartig as Marguerite on January 25th, 28th, and February 2nd, 2018. She, in turn, will be replaced by Olga Bezsmertna as Micaëla in Carmen on January 23rd, 26th, and 29th January.

Hartig has been a consistent presence in Vienna where she has performed numerous roles including Mimi in “La Bohème” and Michaëla in “Carmen.”