(Credit: Jiyang Chen)

Bass-baritone Ryan McKinny will replace Davide Luciano in the final three performances of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of “Don Giovanni.” Luciano was originally scheduled to perform between Dec. 3-8 but, per the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s announcement, the baritone has suffered a torn muscle.

McKinny recently debuted the title role of the famed Mozart opera at the Houston Grand Opera. Of his performance, Houstonia noted, “ At moments, we almost begin to root for him; it’s where the disturbing ambiguity of this opera lies, that his allure and his privilege allows him to do whatever he wants to do.”

He is set to take on Don Giovanni yet again at the Washington National Opera this February and March.

McKinny joins a cast that includes Matthew Rose, Rachel Willis-Sørensen, Amanda Majeski, Ying Fang, Brandon Cedel, Mika Kares, and Ben Bliss. James Gaffigan conducts.

This is the second time that the leading role is changed during this production. Ildar Abdrazakov was originally programmed to take on the opening performances of the role between Nov. 14-30, but canceled due to personal reasons. Lucas Meachem wound up performing in his stead.