HIGH drama in real life brought a dazzling production of the heart-rending opera Carmen to a sudden halt last night when the leading lady suffered an attack of nerves and collapsed in Act Three.
The 28-year old Ukrainian singer Nadejda Stoianova was making her UK debut at Liverpool's Empire theatre as the ill-fated Carmen when she was overwhelmed by the stress of the first night during Opera International's touring production of the famous Bizet work.
She was replaced by mezzo soprano Tatiana Busuioc who is also appearing in tonight's production of Puccini's Turandot.
The curtain was brought down when other singers realised Carmen hadn't joined them on stage and manager Ellen Kent explained to a bewildered audience that the singer had fallen ill but that there was a replacement amongst the strong cast of the Chisinau National Opera.
She added later: "We realised that Nadejda was having difficulties with her breathing. She has already sung the part twice in Eastern Europe where the company are based but this was her British debut.
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