(Credit: Johannes Ifkovits)

Polish bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny will replace Sir Bryn Terfel in the title role of Wagner‘s “Der Fliegende Holländer” at the Bayerische Staatsoper’s Opera Festival on July 7, 2021.

No immediate reason was given for the cancellation. However, current arrivals from United Kingdom to Germany have been banned except for the German nationals and residents due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus. Germany’s Robert Koch Institute designated United Kingdom as a virus variant area on May 23 2021, which prompted the German government to allow entry only to German residents who must undergo 14-day quarantine without exceptions.

Konieczny joins a cast that includes Anja Kampe as Senta, Tomislav Mužek as Erik, Tanja Ariane Baumgartner in the role of Mary, and Ain Anger as Daland. Simone Young conducts a production by Peter Konwitschny.

Terfel is scheduled to go back onstage for the performances of Verdi‘s “Falstaff” at the Bayerische Staatsoper in October 2021, before taking on the role of Holländer at the Wiener Staatsoper in November and December 2021.