The Royal Opera, Covent Garden has announced that Sir Mark Elder has canceled his forthcoming engagement with the company.

The ROH announced that due to surgery in the middle of August to release a trapped nerve in his neck, and under medical advice, the conductor will no long conduct the new production of “Death in Venice.” As a result, English conductor Richard Farnes will take over the Britten opera.

Farnes made his Royal Opera debut in 2002 conducting “Simon Boccanegra” and has since returned to lead a production of “Il trovatore” of the company; he is also set to be the music director for “Don Carlo” later this season.

In a press statement, the company said “The Royal Opera is grateful to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for releasing Richard Farnes from his commitment with them in order to conduct ‘Death in Venice.'”

Performances of “Death in Venice” open on Nov. 21 and run through Dec. 6, 2019.