Cast Change: Joyce El-Khoury & Sara Cortolezzi to Make Debuts in ‘I Vespri Siciliani’ at Royal Ballet & Opera
By David Salazar(© Beyond The Image Media)
The Royal Ballet & Opera has announced a major cast change for “I Vespri Siciliani.”
The company revealed that Marina Rebeka has withdrawn from performances of the opera due to illness. In her stead, Joyce El-Khoury will perform the role of Hélène in all performances except for the one on Oct. 3, 2025. For that showcase, audiences will get a chance to experience soprano Sara Cortolezzi in the role.
El-Khoury will be making her role debut as Hélène. At the ROH she has appeared in such operas as “La Bohème,” “L’Ange de Nisida,” and “La Traviata.” For Cortolezzi, this performance represents her company debut. She has previously appeared with the Tiroler Festspiele Erl, Opera North, Teatro Verdi, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, and the Fondazione Haydn di Bolzano e Trento, among others.
Moreover, the company revealed that the role of Daniéli will be sung by Michael Gibson, taking over for Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono. Gibson was a member of the Jette Park Artists Programme from 2022-24. He previously performed in “Fidelio” and “Turandot” during the 2024-25 season.
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