While Licitra had already been scheduled to sing Canio in Pagliacci for those dates, his colleague Frank Porretta was cast as Turiddu in Cavalleria. When Porretta fell ill last week, Licitra took over for his colleague on short notice ‐ and made headlines. (One tenor singing both starring roles in this double-bill has been a relatively rare occurrence at the Met.) Porretta, still unwell, has now withdrawn from his remaining dates in the run.

At tomorrow evening's performance, Licitra will sing Canio only; Eduardo Villa will take the role of Turiddu as scheduled.