Alwyn Mellor has withdrawn from all tour performances as Sieglinde and Brünnhilde in the Opera North Ring Cycle "for personal reasons".
Mellor was scheduled to appear as Sieglinde in Die Walküre and Brünnhilde in Götterdämmerung as part of Opera North's complete staging of Wagner's Ring Cycle on tour, roles which she played for the company in 2012 and 2014.
She said, "“It is with much sadness that personal circumstances mean that I need to withdraw from Opera North’s Ring cycles. I am incredibly proud to have been a part of the Opera North Ring: it is a hugely collaborative effort and I know it will be a huge success."
Richard Mantle, General Director of Opera North, added, "Whilst we are sad to announce today that Alwyn Mellor will not be able to join the Ring company for tour dates as originally planned, we are delighted that Kelly Cae Hogan and Lee Bisset have both been able to add these additional performances to their schedules.
"Kelly and Lee are already integral members of our Ring family; they are both tremendously exciting singers who bring true dramatic focus and emotional intensity to these roles."
Bisset will take over the role of Sieglinde, whole Hogan will perform at all dates as Brünnhilde, which was already scheduled to sing in Leeds.
Peter Mumford's staging will be conducted by Richard Farnes in his last appearance as Opera North's Music Director.
After a second cycle in Leeds, Opera North takes the full Ring on tour to Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, The Lowry in Salford, London’s Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre, and Sage Gateshead.