The BBC Proms has announced a cast change for its opening performance of Verdi’s Requiem.

The festival said in a statement, “We are sorry to announce that Freddie De Tommaso has withdrawn from the First Night of the Proms (Friday 15 July) due to testing positive for Covid-19.”

As a result, David Junghoon Kim will step in to sing the tenor role in Verdi’s Requiem.

Kim is an alumnus of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme who has performed at the Royal Opera House, in Zurich and Stuttgart, and Grange Park Opera.

The tenor joins a cast that includes Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Jennifer Johnston, and Kihwan Sim. Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra.