The Wiener Staatsoper has announced two cast changes for its new production of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.”

In a statement, the company said, that due to illness, two of the originally scheduled performers had to cancel.

As a result, Russian mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya will replace Marianne Crebassa in the role of Rosina, making her house role debut.

Étienne Dupuis will return to Vienna in the role of Figaro, replacing Davide Luciano.

Berzhanskaya is coming off a breakout performance in “Moïse et Pharaon” at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro. She has performed at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bayeriche Staatsoper, and Royal Opera House.

Meanwhile, Dupis returns to the Wiener Staatsoper following his debut as Valentin in “Faust” last season.

The two singers will join a cast that includes Juan Diego Flórez, Paolo Bordogna, Ildar Abdrazakov, and Ruth Brauer-Kvam. Michele Mariotti conducts the new production by Herbert Fritsch. 

“Il Barbiere di Siviglia” opens on Sept. 28 and runs through Oct. 14, 2021.