(Credit: Massimo Sestini)

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced that Stefano La Colla will replace Jonas Kaufmann in the opening night performance of “La Forza del Destino” on Sept. 26, 2021.

The company announced that due to illness Kaufmann was forced to cancel.

Kaufmann himself announced that he had contracted a tracheal infection and that he was advised by the doctors to rest his voice. He is still set to sing the second and third performances.

La Colla has performed at the Arena di Verona, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Wiener Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Oper Leipzig, Theater St. Gallen, and the Lyric Opera in Chicago, among others.

He will join a cast that includes Anja Harteros, George Petean, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Mika Kares, and Ambrogio Maestri.

“La Forza del Destino” is set to run through Oct. 2, 2021.