The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of Penderecki’s “The Devils of Loudun.”

The company noted that for the premiere on June 27, 2022 at this year’s Munich Opera Festival, Wolfgang Koch, who was planning to sing the role of Grandier, canceled the premiere due to sickness.

The Munich opera said the work which has rarely been performed in recent years has made the selection of singers extremely complicated. As a result, the company found a very unusual solution with Robert Dölle, from the ensemble of the Residenz Theater performing the part scenically and Jordan Shanahan singing the role from the side.

The company added, “We thank both artists for their spontaneity and wish Wolfgang Koch a good recovery.”

Both performers will join a cast that includes Aušrine Stundyte, Ursula Hesse von den Steinen, Nadezhda Gulitskaya, Lindsay Ammann, Danae Kontora, and Nadezhda Karyazina. Vladimir Jurowski conducts Simon Stone’s production.

Koch is set to return for performances on June 30, July 3, and 7, 2022.