“Sonya Yoncheva will make her North American role debut as Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata at the Met this January. Yoncheva was originally scheduled to sing Musetta in La Bohème at the Met this season. Instead, she will sing Violetta, one of her most acclaimed roles, as a replacement for Marina Poplavskaya, who has withdrawn from the performances.

“Yoncheva sings the role on January 14, 17, 21, and 24. Marina Rebeka will replace Yoncheva as Musetta in the three performances of La Bohème she was scheduled to sing:January 15, 19, and 24 matinee. The performances will mark Rebeka’s company role debut as Musetta; she also sings Violetta at the Met for the first time this season.”

So says the Met’s press office.

Here’s Yoncheva singing this part in Valencia last season.

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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