A performance of Aida at the Pittsburgh Opera on Tuesday night led to what may very well have been an operatic first: faced with an ailing Radames, whose cover was unavailable because of a delayed flight, Pittsburgh Opera music director Antony Walker, managed to conduct the final act of the opera while singing the role of Radames from the podium.

Tenor Vladimir Kuzmenko, who had been cast in the role of Radames, reportedly fell ill with the same virus that has prevented mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe from making her highly anticipated role debut as Amneris. The company's administration decided prior to the performance to recruit tenor Eduardo Villa as a cover in the event that Kuzmenko could not go on. While the Metropolitan Opera released Villa from his covering assignment at the New York house, the tenor's flight en route to the performance was delayed and Kuzmenko lost his voice after the third act.

Not wanting to send the audience home, Pittsburgh Opera artistic director Christopher Hahn asked Walker if he could finish the performance, simultaneously singing the role of Radames and conducting. Walker consented to the idea, but, as he would be facing away from the audience while leading the orchestra, opted to employ a microphone. Kuzmenko remained onstage with Eszter Sümegi's Aida, lip-syncing the remainder of the performance.

"I trained as a singer for seven years and sometimes it comes in handy," Walker told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after the performance. "I never had to sing and conduct before and I hope I never have to do it again!"

"Act IV is light and lyrical. It was feasible." Walker, told the Post-Gazette. "It was the only way we could continue the opera."

The performance was the second in the company's run of Aida, which continues through April 6. Jane Dutton performed the role of Amneris on Tuesday, while local Marianne Cornetti assumed the role on opening night. Pittsburgh Opera has engaged tenor Stephen O'Mara to cover the role of Radames for performances on Friday and Sunday.

Walker, a native of Australia, was appointed music director of Pittsburgh Opera in October 2006. In addition to his duties in Pittsburgh, he serves as co-artistic director of Pinchgut Opera as well as music director and founder of the choral ensemble Cantillation, the Orchestra of the Antipodes and Sinfonia Australis. Walker is also artistic director and conductor of Washington Concert Opera in Washington, D.C.

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