(Credit: Teatro Real official website)

The Teatro Real has announced a completely new cast for the performance of Puccini’s “La bohème” on Jan. 3, 2022.

Per the official statement, Francesco Demuro replaced Andeka Gorrotxategi as Rodolfo, Ailyn Pérez replaced Eleonora Buratto in the role of Mimì, Javier Franco replaced Andrzej Filonczyk as Marcello, and Gabriel Bermúdez replaced Manel Esteve in the role of Schaunard. Soloman Howard will portray Colline, and Raquel Lojendio will appear as Musetta. Luis Miguel Méndez conducts a production by Richard Jones.

The Teatro Real had 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 opera house finally canceled the performance on Jan. 2, 2022, admitting a COVID-19 outbreak. The Teatro Real will stage both the remaining performances on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, 2022, despite a confirmed COVID-19 outbreak.