Heppner offers solo recital after COC withdrawal
Last Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 | 4:45 PM ET
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Ben Heppner's Toronto performance had been a highly anticipated highlight of the COC's anniversary concert. He has agreed to return for a solo recital. (Julie Jacobson/Associated Press)Opera fans upset at news of Ben Heppner's withdrawal from the Canadian Opera Company's anniversary gala are getting a treat. The ailing tenor has agreed to return to Toronto for a new solo engagement.
The COC announced Thursday plans for a special make-up recital by Heppner later this season for all ticket holders of the company's 60th anniversary concert.
"We know Ben's appearance was highly anticipated by many people, and we understand they are as disappointed by his cancellation as we are," general director Alexander Neef said in a statement.
"We asked him if he could offer our audience a special recital with piano on the Four Seasons Centre stage. He immediately agreed, and we are eager to have him back with us soon."
The date of Heppner's solo recital has yet to be announced.
The internationally renowned tenor withdrew from the COC's Nov. 7 anniversary concert last weekend, citing a nagging infection he caught during a recent engagement at London's Royal Opera House that he had still not shaken off.
Organizers hastily enlisted a trio of other singers to replace him on the bill: Canadian baritone Russell Braun, Mexican tenor Ramon Vargas and British tenor John Treleaven.
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