It’s been rumored, but you know how La Cieca feels about rumors. Anyway, here’s some solid proof that Joseph Calleja has been engaged for the Met’s new production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann set for a December 3, 2009 opening.

Calleja and his wife his wife Tatjana Lisnic were previously announced for performances of L’arlesiana at Theater Regensburg November 28 – December 5. However, earlier today the following notice appeared on the Theater Regensburg website:

Durch die langfristige Erkrankung von Rolando Villazon hat Joseph Calleja das Angebot, an dessen Stelle an der Metropolitian Opera in New York zu singen.

Alle ersten Opernhäuser haben Herrn Calleja die Freigabe erteilt, um dem Künstler dies zu ermöglichen. Das Theater Regensburg kann und wird sich dem nicht verwehren.

No Calleja Hoffmann clips available that La Cieca can find, but here’s a little Bizet:

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