The Met’s press office just sent this out:

New York, NY (May 8, 2007) – Bizet’s Carmen with Russian mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina in the title role will be revived during the Met’s 2007-08 season, replacing the previously announced performances of Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann. The change in repertory is due to the decision by Argentine tenor Marcelo Álvarez to retire the title role of Hoffmann from his repertory. Mr. Álvarez will instead make his Met role debut singing Don José in Carmen opposite Ms. Borodina. Nancy Fabiola Herrera will sing the title role in one performance. Krassimira Stoyanova sings the role of Micaëla at the Met for the first time. Emmanuel Villaume conducts all eight performances from February 4 to March 1, 2008.

Told you so.