Brad Benoit, seen here in a 2009 Minnesota Opera production of "The Barber of Seville," was drafted at the last minute to sing a lead role in the world premiere of "Silent Night" at the Ordway Center in St. Paul on Saturday. Photo by Michal Daniel.
The timing could not have been worse. Tenor William Burden woke up Saturday with laryngitis. That evening he was due to sing a lead role as Sprink in the world premiere of a new opera, "Silent Night" with the Minnesota Opera.
Burden saw a doctor, received medication and was cleared to sing at the opening, but as the afternoon progressed it became clear his voice would not be up for the job. By the time he arrived at the theater a plan B was hatched. Tenor Brad Benoit, who sings in the opera's soldier-chorus, was drafted to sing the part of Sprink.
Benoit knew the vocal part from having sung it in early workshops, but he was unfamiliar with the blocking, so he sang the role, including duets with soprano Karin Wolverton, while standing downstage in front of a music stand. Burden, meanwhile, lip-synched his part.
Critic Larry Fuchsberg acknowledged the mishap in his review of the opera for the Star Tribune, noting "the company owes Benoit, big time." Benoit joined Burden for a bow at the ovation.
As of Sunday night, there was no word about whether Burden would be able to sing at the opera's next scheduled performance on Tuesday night.
