The Opéra National de Lorraine has announced a cast change for its production of “Don Pasquale.”

The company revealed that Marco Ciaponi will take over the role of Ernesto from Michele Angelini who is ill.

Last season, Ciaponi famously stepped in for tenor Juan Diego Flórez at the Vienna State Opera in “La Fille du Régiment.” He has stepped into performances of “La Sonnambula” in Dresden and at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. The bel canto specialist has appeared with such companies as the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Semperoper Dresden, Leipzig Oper, Teatro alla Scala, Bolshoi Theater, Teatro di San Carlo in Napoli, Teatro La Fenice in Venezia, Teatro Verdi in Parma, Arena di Verona, Dutch National Opera, and Teatro Comunale di Bologna, among others.

He joins a cast that stars Vuvu Mpofu as Norina, Lucio Gallo as the titular Don Pasquale, and Germán Olvera as Malatesta. Tim Sheader directs the production, which is conducted by Giulio Cilona.

“Don Pasquale” opens on Dec. 15, 2023 and runs through Dec. 23.