The Royal Opera resorted to a similar arrangement in January when baritone Bryn Terfel lost his voice hours before he was supposed to sing Wotan in Das Rheingold. In that case, however, it was the star who appeared silently on stage; in Pittsburgh, a major singer will make her company debut without setting foot on stage.

Eaglen is also scheduled to appear with the company in Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos this fall.

According to the paper, the company has not yet decided whether Eaglen will sing in subsequent performances on May 13 and 15. If she does, she will likely act the role as well, having had time to memorize the score.