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By Matthew Westphal
15 Sep 2006
Heinz Fricke, music director of the Washington National Opera, has withdrawn from the company's season-opening production, a double bill of Bartók's Duke Bluebeard's Castle and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi which begins its run tomorrow night.
The 79-year-old conductor suffers from diabetes, according to a statement from the company released yesterday, and has returned home to Germany to consult with his doctors about complications that have arisen with his condition.
Filling in for Fricke will be Giovanni Reggioli, who has previously conducted seven productions for Washington National Opera and, from 2001-2004, was head coach and music administrator for the company's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.
The Bluebeard / Schicchi double bill, staged by film director William Friedkin (best known for The Exorcist), runs for seven performances from tomorrow night through October 7. For more information, visit www.dc-opera.com.
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