(Credit: Teatro Real official website)

The Teatro Real has announced the cancelation of the performance of Puccini’s “La bohème” scheduled for Jan. 2, 2022, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the house.

The Teatro Real completely reshuffled the cast for the performance on Dec. 29, 2021, in an attempt to present the opera despite a growing number of COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the public pressure was growing on the opera house to be transparent about the health situation.

The Jan. 2 performance was set to star Michael Fabiano as Rodolfo, Ermonela Jaho as Mimì, Ruth Iniesta in the role of Musetta, Lucas Meachem as Marcello, Krzysztof Baczyk as Colline, and Joan Martín-Royo as Schaunard. Nicola Luisotti was signed on to conduct a production by Richard Jones.

The performance that is scheduled for Jan. 3 should feature Andeka Gorrotxategi, Eleonora Buratto, Raquel Lojendio, Soloman Howard, Andrzej Filończyk, and Manel Esteve, alongside conductor Luis Miguel Méndez.

Spain is undergoing a powerful wave of COVID-19 driven by both the Delta and Omicron variants, with over 100,000 daily cases. General Director of the Wiener Staatsoper Bogdan Roščić said that with the appearance of Omicron, the speed and intensity of the infection process has increased dramatically, and that complete protection against the virus is impossible.