Emergency at premiere - opera singer has to go to hospital

During an opera premiere in Chemnitz, a singer suffered health problems and was taken to hospital. The performance could still be completed on Friday evening - because a bass-baritone who happened to be sitting in the audience stepped in and took over the part. This was announced by the Chemnitz Municipal Theatres on Saturday.

Accordingly, the singer Johann Kalvelage had to receive medical treatment after the first act of the Mozart opera "Don Giovanni". He had played Leporello. Markus Marquardt, who had been watching the premiere in the audience, spontaneously stepped in for the second part of the performance. He is a member of the Dresden State Opera ensemble and has close ties to Chemnitz Opera.

Marquardt then sang Leporello. The scenic part - i.e. the movements and gestures of the character - was taken over by assistant director Antonia Bär. The theater thanked both of them for their short-term commitment.

Johann Kalvelage is on the road to recovery. He was discharged from hospital on Friday evening. He has been a member of the Chemnitz ensemble since this season.