(Credit: Simon Pauly)

The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of Verdi’s “Otello.”

The company noted that Rachel Willis-Sorensen will replace Anja Harteros in the role of Desdemona.

Willis-Sorensen has performed at the Royal Opera House, Bayerische Staatsoper, Semperoper Dresden, Wiener Staatsoper, Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Opernhaus Zurich. Her repertoire includes the music of Wagner, Mozart, Verdi, Dvorak, and Strauss, among others.

The American soprano will join a cast that includes Arsen Soghomonyan and Luca Salsi. Daniele Rustioni conducts the production by Amélie Niermeyer.

“Otello” is set to be performed on May 27 with three performances through June 2, 2022. Harteros returns to the production during the Munich Opera Festival.