(Credit: Julian Hargreaves)

The Royal Opera House Covent Garden has announced that superstar soprano Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from the performances of Verdi’s “Nabucco” between Jan. 14 – 23, 2022, due to ongoing travel restrictions across Europe.

As a result, Liudmyla Monastyrska will take over the role of Abigaille. Monastyrska joins a cast that includes Alexander Vinogradov as Zaccaria, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in the role of Fenena, Najmiddin Mavlyanov as Ismaele, Blaise Malaba as High Priest of Baal, April Koyejo-Audiger as Anna, and Amartuvshin Enkhbat in the title role. Daniel Oren conducts a production by Daniele Abbado.

Liudmyla Monastyrska is a well-known soprano who has appeared at the greatest operatic venues, including the Opéra national de Paris, Metropolitan Opera in New York, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Wiener Staatsoper, and Bayerische Staatsoper, among many others.

Netrebko is scheduled to return to the stage in the title role in Verdi’s “Aida” at the Teatro di San Carlo in February 2022.