Mr. Kaufmann or Mr. Beczala

There are many good friends among tenors in Opera. Mr. Piotr Beczala and Mr. Jonas Kaufmann for example, if this past Saturdays performance of La Boheme at the Salzburg Festival is any indication. Apparently Mr. Beczala has not been in good vocal form from rehearsals onwards given a vexing malady. However, the issue reached a pinnacle when Mr. Beczala simply could not sing without further destruction to his voice. Mr. Kaufmann who was on his way to the Salzburg countryside, was called in to sing Rodolfo in the wings, while Mr. Beczala acted the performance on stage. COMMANDOpera is most impressed with all the players involved, for it shows real class in bringing the art form to the audience rather than cancelling. Here is the entire opening night performance which was broadcast from Salzburg while it remains on YouTube: