The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its opening night performance of Puccini’s “Tosca.”

The Sept. 3 performance will see Ludovic Tézier sing the role of Scarpia replacing Erwin Schrott.

Tézier recently sang the role of Scarpia at the Salzburg Festival and in Graz at the same time (stepping in for an ailing Bryn Terfel in the latter). He has also performed the role in Paris and Napoli, among other houses. The baritone is in Vienna rehearsing a production of “La Traviata,” which is set to open on Sept. 5. This season he is also scheduled to sing a production of “Otello” and “Rigoletto” at the Wiener Staatsoper.

Tézier will join a cast that also includes Carmen Giannattasio in the title role and Fabio Sartori as Cavaradossi. Axel Kober conducts the legendary production by Margarethe Wallmann. 

Erwin Schrott returns to the production for the Sept. 6 performance. The first run of “Tosca” will be performed through Sept. 11, 2021.