(Credit: Michael Pohn/ Wiener Staatsoper)

Paolo Rumetz made a surprise role debut at the Wiener Staatsoper on Sept. 19, 2019.

The Italian baritone replaced Roberto Frontali who canceled the opening performance of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” due to illness.  Rumetz sang his first Conte di Luna in his career with less than a days notice. The baritone is in Vienna for a revival of “L’Elisir d’Amore” which opens on Sept. 21, 2019.

Rumetz is a favorite of the Wiener Staatsoper who has performed such roles as Rigoletto, Dulcamara, in “L’Elisir d’Amore,” Ashby in “La Fanciulla del West,” Bartolo in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” Duca di Nottingham in “Roberto Devereux,” Taddeo in “L’Italiana in Algeri,” and Don Magnifico in “La Cenerentola.”

Frontali is scheduled to sing the last two performances of the fall run of “Il Trovatore” scheduled for Sept. 22 and 25, 2019.

“Il Trovatore” also stars Yusif Eyvazov, Michelle Bradley, and Monika Bohinec with Alberto Veronesi conducting.