As your doyenne hinted previously, the Met just has announced that bass-baritone Juha Uusitalo “has withdrawn due to illness” from the opening night production of Tosca on September 21.  George Gagnidze will perform the role of Scarpia on opening night and in further performances through October 14.

Those of you who can’t be in the house Monday to observe the goings-on may want to catch the excitement on the Lincoln Center Plazacast.  Free tickets to the outdoor viewing will be available beginning at noon on Sunday, September 20, at the Met Box office. The event will also be relayed to Times Square and the audio may be heard on Sirius/XM and online at metopera.org.