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Next Week in Music: Big-name pinch-hitters coming to the rescue
By Harvey Steiman Follow at Aspen Times
· July 9, 2026
· 4 min read
The Aspen Music Festival went into scramble mode on Wednesday when star mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato was injured and had to cancel two high-profile Aspen performances next week. They found a couple of winners.
The tale makes an appropriate introduction to my new weekly column that focuses on t...
Key takeaway Costanzo is already here to sing the starring role of Oberon in Benjamin Britten’s opera Midsummer Night’s Dream July 20-22.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The Aspen Music Festival's quick recovery from Joyce DiDonato's cancellation is a testament to the event's reputation and connections in the music world. Anthony Ross Costanzo's substitution in the recital with Patrick Summers is a boon for local music lovers, who will now have the chance to experience one of the world's top countertenors in an intimate setting. Costanzo's appearance also underscores the festival's ability to attract and showcase elite talent, which is a major draw for the city's cultural scene and a key part of Aspen's appeal as a summer destination. The festival's commissioning program, which will feature Matthew Aucoin's new work, is another example of Aspen's commitment to supporting innovative and contemporary music, and its impact will be felt in the local arts community for years to come.
About this story
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Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Aspen Music Festival went into scramble mode on Wednesday when star mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato was injured and had to cancel two high-profile Aspen performances next week. They found a couple of winners.
The tale makes an appropriate introduction to my new weekly column that focuses on t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Harvey Steiman Follow at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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