LONDON - Bryn Terfel has pulled out of his highly anticipated appearance in the Royal Opera's production of Wagner's "Ring" cycle, citing "a particularly stressful family situation" involving one of his children.
The Welsh bass-baritone was to have sung Wotan/The Wanderer in the performances scheduled for next month. It was supposed to have been his first performance in a complete Ring Cycle.
"I have had a particularly stressful family situation involving one of my children this summer which has affected the time I had put aside to prepare for this challenging role," Terfel said in a statement carried by the Opera's Web site. "Having begun rehearsals it is clear to me that I would not be able to perform at the standard I would wish to."
The nature of the problem was not disclosed.
The Times of London newspaper reported that the performance had been sold out for more than a year, with some tickets for the entire four-opera cycle going for as much as $1,610.
"The Royal Opera expressed shock and surprise at Bryn Terfel's cancellation, acknowledging the disappointment it will bring to audiences who were looking forward to seeing him perform in a complete Ring Cycle for the first time," the company said on its Web site.
The company said Terfel would be replaced by award-winning singer Sir John Tomlinson, with whom Terfel had been due to share the role.
Terfel sang Wotan for the first time in "Das Rheingold" and "Die Walkuere" during the 2004-5 season in the Royal Opera's production by Keith Warner.
He also is slated to sing Wotan in the Metropolitan Opera's performance of the Ring cycle, scheduled for 2012.
