(Credit: Christopher Pledger)

The English National Opera has announced that Dame Sarah Connolly has pulled out of the new production of Gluck’s “Orfeo and Eurydice.”

The company announced that the mezzo-soprano had to pull out after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Connolly also canceled her upcoming BBC Proms concert.

The mezzo announced on social media, “Last month, I had an unwelcome birthday present, breast cancer. Like so many women afflicted with this disease, I will face whatever is coming as best I can. Imminent surgery means I must withdraw from ENO’s ‘Orpheus And Eurydice’ and ‘L’enfance Du Christ’ at the BBC Proms. I hope, however, to fulfill all my other concert and recording commitments over the coming months.”

She continued, “I’d like to thank ENO and the BBC Proms for their kindness and understanding, and I look forward to working with them both in the near future.”

As a result, Alice Coote will replace Connolly in “Orfeo and Eurydice” and  Julie Boulianne will replace the mezzo at the BBC proms.