Michele Pertusi Steps in for Ildebrando D'Arcangelo in Royal Opera's SEMIRAMIDE

Due to illness, Italian bass-baritone Ildebrando D'Arcangelo has had to withdraw from the role of Assur in Semiramide.

The role will now be sung by Italian bass Michele Pertusi for all performances except 16 December, when it will be sung by Italian bass Mirco Palazzi.

Mirco Palazzi will also replace Michele Pertusi as Raimondo Bidebent (Lucia di Lammermoor) on 20, 24 and 27 November 2017.

Michele Pertusi has previously sung the role of Assur at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris. He made his Royal Opera debut in 2000 as the four villains (Les Contes d'Hoffmann) and has since returned to sing Alidoro (La Cenerentola) and Count Rodolfo (La sonnambula). This Season he returned to sing Raimondo Bidebent (Lucia di Lammermoor) for the Company, and will sing this role on 8, 11 and 15 November.

Mirco Palazzi has previously sung the role of Assur for Opera di Firenze, Opéra de Bordeaux and at a concert performance with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Mark Elder at the BBC Proms in 2016. He makes his Royal Opera debut in the role of Raimondo Bidebent in Lucia di Lammermoor on 20 November, replacing Michele Pertusi.