(Credit: David Shoukry)

The Longborough Festival Opera has announced a cast change for Korngold’s “Die tote Stadt.”

The company noted that soprano Noa Danon withdrew from the production due to illness. As a result, soprano Rachel Nicholls will make her role debut as Marie / Marietta in the festival’s forthcoming production.

Nicholls returns to the festival after having performed the role of Brünnhilde in Longborough’s 2013 Ring cycle.

Longborough’s Music Director Anthony Negus said, “I am proud to welcome Rachel back to Longborough. She is a wonderful collaborative colleague who will bring her unique artistry to finding the soul of the fascinating double role of Marie/Marietta in Korngold’s youthful masterpiece.”

Opening on June 21, 2022 and running through the 27th, “Die tote Stadt” is set to be directed by Carmen Jakobi and conducted by Justin Brown. Nicholls joins a cast led by Peter Auty, with Luci Briginshaw, Stephanie Windsor-Lewis, Benson Wilson, Alexander Sprague, and Lee David Bowen.