(Credit: Kim Fox)

The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has announced a cast change for the upcoming production of “La Sonnambula.”

Pretty Yende will replace Nadine Sierra, who is ill, in the role of Amina.

In a statement, Yende said, “I am so pleased for the privilege to be jumping in as Amina in ‘La Sonnambula’ here Theatre des  Champs-Elysees New Production directed by Rolando Villazón with Maestro Riccardo Frizza conducting with the Premiere June 15 here in Paris. I do pray for a speedy recovery to my dear colleague Nadine Sierra sending her all my love.”

In a social media post, the Théâtre Champs-Élysées noted, “Pretty Yende is replacing Nadine Sierra in the role of Amina in ‘La Sonnambula!’ (dear readers, welcome to the wonderful world of production where you can find out three days before the start of rehearsals that your star soprano has COVID-19, and that, once recovered, she will be unable to travel for three weeks. And to manage to replace her with another extraordinary soprano that the entire world wants to see, is a magical turn of events. All of this firmly hoping for our premiere on June 15).

They added, “Dear @nadine.sierra, this is such back luck. We hope you get well soon. We look forward to hearing you at the TCE another time!”

Yende made her role debut as Amina at the Opernhaus Zürich alongside Lawrence Brownlee. She has performed at the Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, and the Bayerische Staatsoper among other houses.

The soprano joins a cast that includes Alexander Tsymbalyuk, Francesco Demuro, Annunziata Vestri, Sandra Hamaoui, and Marc Scoffoni. Frizza conducts the production which runs June 26.

Sierra is set to reappear as part of the Met Stars Live in Concert series at the Château de Versailles on May 22, 2021.