Brian Mulligan has pulled out of Houston Grand Opera’s opening night production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”

The company announced that due to illness the baritone would not be able to perform the upcoming new production. As a result, Michael Mayes and Scott Hendricks will replace the baritone.

Mayes will perform the production on opening night Oct. 18 through Oct. 26 and Hendricks will take over for two performances on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1.

Mayes is a recognized baritone who has performed the role of “Rigoletto” at the Boston Lyric Opera and the Atlanta Opera and is set to perform the role at the Nashville Opera this season. Meanwhile Hendricks has performed the role at the Bregenzer Festspiele and the Houston Grand Opera.

The two join a cast that includes Arturo Chacón-Cruz, Mané Galoyan, David Shipley, and Zoie Reams. Tomer Zvulun directs the production with Jordan de Souza conducting.

“Rigoletto” opens on Oct. 18 and runs through Nov. 1, 2019.