Tonio DiPaolo will step in for Neill. DiPaolo has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and San Francisco Opera, among other companies, and recently sang Calaf with Austin Lric Opera and Milwaukee's Florentine Opera.

"Tonio DiPaolo is a vibrant singing actor," said Richard Buckley, who will conduct. "His Italianate ringing tenor voice and compelling stage presence has always brought a special humane aspect to his work. As a Puccini interpreter, he understands rubato and long phrasing, and delivers all the colors and emotions in the music."

Cleveland Opera's production is directed by Barnett Bruce. Soprano Lise Lindstrom, marking her Cleveland Opera debut, will sing the role of Turandot.