The Metropolitan Opera House and Royal Opera House have announced cast changes for its productions of “Otello” and “Aida.”

Angel Blue announced via social media that she is taking a sabbatical from opera performances this season. As a result, Adriana Gonzalez will sing the role of Desdemona in “Otello” from Jan. 11 to Jan. 30. Meanwhile, for the role of Aida, Ailyn Pérez and Marigona Qerkezi will share the title role for performances on March 9 through April 15, 2026.

At the Royal Opera House, Blue also withdrew from all performances of “Aida” and Qerkezi will replace her

While Blue announced she will not sing opera performances, she will continue to perform in recital alongside Bryan Wagorn.

Gonzalez recently made her New York debut with the Teatro Real and has performed other great acclaim with the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Pérez is set to sing “Aida” in Houston and made her role debut in the role in Dresden. Qerkezi is a recognized Verdi soprano who has performed at the Festival Verdi, Royal Opera House and Deutsche Oper Berlin, among others.

The Met’s “Otello” will also star Michael Fabiano and Amartuvshin Enkhbat while “Aida” is set to star Michael Fabiano, Judit Kutasi, Quinn Kelsey, and Alexander Köpeczi. At the Royal Opera House, “Aida” will also star Ivan Gyngazov, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Alexey Markov, Alexander Köpeczi, and Alexandros Stavrakakis.