As previously announced, Rolando Villaz‹n will not return to the opera stage until at least the end of the year due to necessary surgery.

The tenor issued the following statement on his website: "Due to a cyst that has just been detected on one of my vocal chords I will very shortly have to undergo surgery. After the operation, there is a phase of rehabilitation and in order to make sufficient time for this, I have unfortunately had to withdraw from all of my performances until the end of the year. I would like to apologize to you, my wonderful audience, for any inconvenience these cancellations will cause you and want to express my gratitude for the loyalty and support of my audience, colleagues and friends."

In addition to various concert engagements, Villaz‹n's 2009 schedule included a few much-anticipated operatic turns, including performances in Los Angeles, New York, Vienna and Munich.

Giuseppe Filianoti will step into the role of Nemorino in the Los Angeles Opera's season-opening production of L'Elisir d'Amore, running Sept. 12-30.

The Stephen Lawless-directed revival also stars Nino Machaidze as Adina, Nathan Gunn as Belcore, Ruggero Raimondi as Dr. Dulcamara and Valerie Vinzant as Giannetta. Filianoti will sing Nemorino later this month at London's London's Royal Opera House with future performances in the role scheduled for Bavarian State Opera in Munich and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Visit www.laopera.com for more information.

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Villaz‹n's fall and summer plans included performances in the title role of Massenet's Werther in several European cities.

Ram‹n Vargas will take his place at Vienna State Opera May 20, 24, 27 and 30. The cast includes Markus Eiche as Albert and Elina Garanca as Charlotte.

Piotr Beczala steps in for the two Munich Opera Festival performances of the piece on July 4 and 7, joining Natale De Carolis and Vesselina Kasarova.

For further information, visit www.staatsoper.at and www.bayerische.staatsoper.de.