Liana Aleksanyan will make her Teatro alla Scala role debut as Cio-Cio San in Puccini’s “Madam Butterfly” on Dec. 16.

The announcement comes on the heels of Maria Jose Siri’s cancellation due to a cold. On her Twitter feed she announced the news and stated, “Dear friends, due to a heavy cold I have to cancel the performance of #MadamaButterfly on December 16. A big hug to all of you.”

Armenia soprano Aleksanyan first sang the role of Cio-Cio San at Oper Köln where she received rave reviews. She was later invited to sing another production of “Butterfly” directed by Maestro Hugo de Ana in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The soprano is also recognized for dramatic skills. Her repertoire includes Puccini’s “La Boheme,” Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Verdi’s “Luisa Miller,” “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto.” The soprano is scheduled to sing Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 and Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Hamburg.

Aleksanyan will sing alongside Bryan Hymel and Carlos Alvarez with Riccardo Chailly in the pit.

Maria Jose Siri returns to for the remaining performances.

Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” opened the Teatro alla Scala season in Puccini’s two act version and streamed live in HD around the world. Critics raved about Alvis Hermanis’ production and stated that director “preferred to evoke an atmosphere of fragility.” Siri also received rave reviews as critics said that she “crafted her text artfully. She conveyed vulnerability.”

The run concludes  Jan. 8.