I see that Bryn Terfel has pulled out of the forthcoming two Ring Cycles at Covent Garden which he was due to sing in October citing 'problems with one of his children'. No details of precisely what it is that is the problem have been given, but there are rumours that one of his sons has a badly broken finger. If this is so, then I am amazed at his withdrawal. Bryn is not known for diva like behaviour and has no history of cancellations so I am sure it must be something far more serious to bring him to this decision.
I have mixed feelings about this. I am sad for those who have tickets, my daughter and her fiance being two such, but rather relieved that my haverings about whether to attend this Cycle were justified. Bryn had to cancel one performance of Die Walkure as he lost his voice and, as Wagner is a killer to sing, I had my doubts that booking tickets nearly a year in advance was a good idea, with the odds against him singing being quite high that far ahead. It turns out I was wise in my non-purchase. I only hope that Placido fulfils his commitments to his two Die Walkure performances as his presence will surely make up for the disappointment of missing Bryn.
My personal feeling is that he can't stand this production.
