The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a cast change change for its production of “Die Zauberflöte.”

The company said, “Franz Welser-Möst has been forced to cancel his conducting duties for the new production of ‘Die Zauberflöte’ at the Vienna State Opera for health reasons. After successful immunotherapy, he suffered unexpected side effects that make his participation impossible.”

As a result, Bertrand de Billy, recently appointed honorary member of the Wiener Staatsoper, will take over the musical direction.

In a statement, Director Bogdan Roščić said, “We have prepared every detail of this new production with Franz Welser-Möst very carefully and over a long period of time. I know how painful it is for him not to be able to realize these ideas himself; the team at the Staatsoper feels the same way. We all wish him a speedy and lasting recovery. The fact that a conductor as important to the house as Bertrand de Billy is willing to take over the musical direction at this time during rehearsals is a stroke of luck and we owe him a great debt of gratitude.”

This season De Billy conducts the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR), and Orchestre National de France. He also conducts a production of “Werther” at the Wiener Staatsoper.

“Die Zauberflöte” is set to be directed by Barbora Horáková and will star Julian Prégardien, Ludwig Mittelhammer, Serena Saénz, Slávka Zámečníková, Matthäus Schmidlechner, Ilia Staple, and Georg Zeppenfeld. The production opens on Jan. 27 and runs through May 5, 2025.

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