The Teatro alla Scala has canceled its 2020-21 opening night on Dec. 7, 2020.

The company was set to open a new production of “Lucia di Lammermoor” starring Lisette Oropesa and Juan Diego Florez. However, the company decided to cancel the opening production after analyzing the current conditions and restrictions imposed by the Italian government. The current regulations prohibit the theater from doing rehearsals and tests to put together a complete production.

As a result, superintendent Dominque Meyer is looking for an alternative for  Dec. 7.

In a statement shared on social media, Lisette Oropesa said, “This was the saddest loss of the year for me. I was set to open the new season at Teatro alla Scala as ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ on the 7th of December, in a new, socially distanced production. I would have had the honor of being the first American soprano to open La Scala in a title role since Maria Callas opened as Norma in 1955. And this would have been the first time Lucia has opened the 7 dicembre since 1967, starring the brilliant Renata Scotto, who also was one of my most important teachers of this role. So my heart is pretty shattered. Despite our best efforts to prepare for the hopeful outcome of being able to perform, we sadly have to cancel the production. I am holding on to these special memories of this time spent with my colleagues, and am looking to a more positive future for the arts. May the silence be soon broken with shouts of joy. Until then, good night…”