Tenor Ben Heppner will miss Monday’s opener of the Metropolitan Opera’s highly anticipated revival of Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” because of a virus.

Heppner and soprano Deborah Voigt, two of the world’s leading Wagnerian singers, had been scheduled to sing “Tristan” together for the first time, and the six-performance run is close to sold out.

Heppner missed Friday’s dress rehearsal because of the virus and was replaced by John Mac Master. Mac Master will replace Heppner on Monday night, the Met said Saturday.

Heppner remains scheduled to sing with Voigt in performances on March 14, 18, 22, 25 and 28. The March 22 matinee is scheduled for a high-definition telecast to theaters around the world.

___

On the Net:

http://www.metopera.org

http://www.benheppner.com