From the Royal Opera House press office: “Russian soprano Marina Poplavskaya has fallen ill and unfortunately has had to withdraw from singing the role of Hélène in Les Vêpres siciliennes in the final rehearsals and the first three performances in October. Marina Poplavskaya hopes to be able to sing the remaining five performances as scheduled. The role of Hélène will now be sung on 17, 21 and 24 October by Armenian soprano Lianna Haroutounian.”  

Here’s a sample of Haroutounian in Verdi.