Alagna set to replace Villazon in Met's 'Romeo et Juliette'

NEW YORK -- Roberto Alagna is replacing tenor Rolando Villazon in the first two performances of the Metropolitan Opera's revival of Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" next month.

"Mr. Villazon has canceled his engagements for the next two to three months as his doctor had suggested," the singer's manager, Bruce Zemsky, said Tuesday. "He has been advised to have this rest after a very heavy schedule over the last two seasons and looks forward to returning as soon as possible."

Alagna will sing in the Sept. 25 and Sept. 29 performances opposite soprano Anna Netrebko.

Matthew Polenzani will sing Dec. 27 and Dec. 31. The Met didn't announce a replacement for the Oct. 3, Oct. 6 and Oct. 11 performances.

Villazon remains scheduled for the Dec. 15 matinee, to be broadcast nationally on the radio, simulcast in movie theaters and recorded for television. He also is slated to sing Dec. 8, 12 and 20.