Saioa Hernández announced she was canceling her performance on July 15, 2024 of “Madama Butterfly” at the Teatro Real.

The soprano took to social media and said, “Dear friends. I’m very sorry, I’ve had to cancel my participation in today’s performance. I would like to briefly explain to you what has happened to me during the last few days, as it has been several problems that have manifested consecutively without prior notice. First of all, I would like to make it clear that this is the first time I have canceled a performance in my 15 year career and it has been very difficult for me to do so. No artist wants to give a poor performance on stage or leave their audience without their participation in a show knowing that they buy their ticket, travel, and hotels well in advance, with effort and excitement. I’m so sorry and thank you from the bottom of my heart. As you all know I had to cancel my performance from last 4th of July. In this case, it was due to a hemorrhage that I had to treat at the hospital. It didn’t cause me pain and my voice was fine but I spent all morning in the hospital and my body was very weak. In the afternoon it was impossible for me to face a performance of Butterfly. I sang the next show smoothly, but the night of the following day, I was suddenly speechless.”

She added, “The Otolaryngologist said my vocal cords were fine, but my mucus was really swollen and I started treatment. I was going to cancel the next performance because in the morning I was feeling bad but meds kicked in and in the afternoon I felt better. I decided to sing with an announcement and I got to meet all of you and my wonderful partners on stage again. It was tough but great. It’s been two days and I thought the recovery would be faster. Indeed I could again make another effort and sing again not being still fully recovered but I know my instrument and I do not like to force my singing so feeling it a lot and under medical advice and with the consensus and support of the Theater, I have decided to dedicate the remaining days to fully recover so I can face the last two performances (19 and 22). I really appreciate your understanding, your messages of love, and your concern about my health condition. I will recover soon to be with you guys as soon as possible and with all my energy as always. I love you guys! Saioa”

As a result of her cancelation, Barno Ismatullaeva will sing the title role and will join a cast that includes Silvia Beltrami, Matthew Polenzani, and Lucas Meachem. Nicola Luisotti conducts the production by Damiano Michieletto.