Bryan Hymel Stars in The Met's LES TROYENS, Now thru 1/5

Tenor Marcello Giordani has decided to withdraw from the remaining four performances of Berlioz's Les Troyens, permanently retiring the role of Aeneas from his repertory. In his place, American tenor Bryan Hymel will make his Met debut, singing the role tonight, December 26, December 29 matinee, January 1, and January 5 matinee (the date of the global HD transmission).

As scheduled, Giordani will return to the Met in March 2013 to sing in the revival of Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini.

In June 2012, Hymel sang Aeneas in a new production of Les Troyens at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. This month, he sang the title role in that company's new production of Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable and, earlier this season, sang the Prince in their first-ever staging of Dvo?ák's Rusalka. His other recent performances include Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata at Houston Grand Opera and the title role in Gounod's Faust with Lyric Opera Baltimore.

Les Troyens, conducted by Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi, also stars Deborah Voigt as Cassandra, Susan Graham as Dido, Karen Cargill as Anna, Eric Cutler as Iopas, DWayne Croft as Coroebus, and Kwangchul Youn as Narbal.