On March 2, the Wiener Staatsoper audience booed upon hearing that Anna Netrebko had canceled a performance of “Nabucco.”

According to reports the opera house did not announce the cancelation before the performance. Management announced the cast change only after audiences were seated and paid upwards of 500 euros to hear Netrebko. As a result, audiences erupted in boos throughout the evening especially during Abigaille’s aria, where the soprano noticeably struggled to get through the cabaletta per a recording obtained by OperaWire.

Soprano Eliška Weissová had the challenging task of replacing Netrebko and was the recipient of the audience’s displeasure.