The Royal Opera House has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Samson et Dalila.”

The company noted that SeokJong Baek will take over the role of Samson from Nicky Spence, who has withdrawn. Per an official press statement, Spence was still recovering from an injury earlier this year and was unable to take on the rigors that this production required of him.

“It is with a heavy heart and despite making excellent progress in rehabilitation that we’ve agreed my withdrawal from the role, which has been a joy to prepare,” Spence said in the release.

Baek was formerly a baritone but retrained as a tenor during the COVID-19 lockdown. He is set to perform with such companies as Palm Springs Opera, Prague State Opera, and Arizona Opera. He is also set to join the Metropolitan Opera roster.

Baek will join a cast headlined by Elīna Garanča and conducted by Antonio Pappano. Richard Jones directs.