Carmen replaces Hoffmann at Met next season

In an unusual move (after subcriptions and even single tickets have
been on sale to subcribers) the Met has announced that all Hoffmann
performances will become Carmen perforrmances, seemingly due to the
suggest of tenor Alvarez.

First, he seems relatively young to be giving up Hoffmann, and second,
I am surprised the Met is going along with this at this point in time.
Here's what was posted elsewhere;
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News
Bizet's Carmen Replaces Les Contes d'Hoffmann in the Met's 2007-08
Repertory
Olga Borodina stars in the title role opposite Marcelo Álvarez as Don
José, conducted by Emmanuel Villaume
May 08, 2007
New York, NY (May 8, 2007) - Bizet's Carmen with Russian mezzo-soprano
Olga Borodina in the title role will be revived during the Met's
2007-08 season, replacing the previously announced performances of
Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann. The change in repertory is due to
the decision by Argentine tenor Marcelo Álvarez to retire the title
role of Hoffmann from his repertory. Mr. Álvarez will instead make his
Met role debut singing Don José in Carmen opposite Ms. Borodina. Nancy
Fabiola Herrera will sing the title role in one performance.
Krassimira Stoyanova sings the role of Micaëla at the Met for the
first time. Emmanuel Villaume conducts all eight performances from
February 4 to March 1, 2008.
"We want to ensure that the world's greatest singers are performing at
the Met in roles that suit them best," said General Manager Peter
Gelb. "While this change affects previously announced plans, we are
delighted that Met audiences will get to hear Marcelo Álvarez sing Don
José for the first time and that Olga Borodina will perform one of her
signature roles." .....
More at: http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/news/press/detail.aspx?id=326

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