The Riga Jurmala Music Festival announces the withdrawal of bass-baritone Bryn Terfel from his scheduled recital on Sunday 29 August at 7pm at the Dzintari Concert Hall following medical advice to recover from laryngitis. Latvian soprano and leading international opera performer Kristine Opolais will be step in and offer a recital in collaboration with pianist Agnese Egliņa at the same date, time and venue.

“Some of the greatest opportunities in my life have come from unexpected events,” says Kristine Opolais, “from the last-minute Metropolitan Opera broadcast in 2014 to this completely unplanned re-encounter with Latvian audiences. My good friend Sir Bryn Terfel asked me to replace him on Sunday evening; I would have preferred to enjoy my dear colleague’s concert from the audience but, if I must step in for him, I will do it with immense honor and pleasure. I sincerely look forward to this opportunity to perform again for the Latvian public in a wonderful program of works that are dear to me.”

“We regret Bryn’s cancellation but without a doubt his health is the priority,” says Artistic Director Martin Engstroem. “We wish Bryn a speedy recovery and look forward to finding an opportunity for him to make his debut at the Riga Jurmala Music Festival very soon. I am immensely grateful to Kristine Opolais, who has most generously accepted to step in to replace Bryn Terfel. She happened to be in Latvia after three performances of Puccini’s Tosca alongside the Cavaradossi of renowned tenor Jonas Kaufmann; her collegial spirit overruled her well-deserved need for rest. I am sincerely looking forward to her performance on Sunday evening.”

Kristine Opolais will offer a wide-ranging program inspired by the roles she interprets around the world as well as works that have a special meaning to her. It will include songs and opera arias by Puccini, Verdi, Cilea, Catalani, Dvořák and Tchaikovsky. Sunday’s performance will make Kristine’s first featured performance in Latvia since 2018.

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