Showtime

What: The Met Live in HD -- Wagner's Tristan und Isolde

When: Saturday, March 22, at 12:30 p.m.; encore Saturday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m.

Where: SilverCity Burlington, 1250 Brant St., 905-319-8677, and SilverCity Ancaster, 771 Golf Links Rd., 905-304-5888

Cost: $19.95 plus tax, child/senior $16.95 plus tax

It isn't easy covering for a principal singer, let alone the reigning Wagnerian tenor of our day. Just ask John Mac Master.

Since mid-February, Mac Master has been at New York's Metropolitan Opera as the "first cover" for Ben Heppner in Wagner's Tristan und Isolde.

Tristan, one of the most taxing roles in the repertoire, has become a signature role for Heppner.

Three weeks ago, the Toronto-based Mac Master subbed for the Toronto-based Heppner at four of five Tristan rehearsals when the latter reportedly came down with a virus.

Two days before opening night, Mac Master received two phone calls.

The first was from Heppner: He was pulling out and wished Mac Master well.

The second was from The Met asking whether Mac Master was ready for the opening. Mac Master, who had sung Tristan with the Welsh National Opera in 2006, and had already bowed at The Met in 2005 as Canio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, answered yes.

So, two Mondays ago, Mac Master took the stage alongside a starry cast that included Deborah Voigt (Isolde), Michelle DeYoung (Brangane), Matti Salminen (Konig Marke), with James Levine in the pit.

But the fairy tale ending in which the understudy saves the show was not quite to be. Anyone in the house that night or listening online, heard patchy singing from Mac Master. At the curtain calls, he was greeted by boos and applause.

"I was not at my vocal best on Monday," said Mac Master over the phone from New York the day after. "I was at my vocal best on Friday for the dress (rehearsal). Certainly, I came in on Monday thinking I'd be fine, but I had phlegm during the performance and that screwed me up."

This Tristan und Isolde is a revival of the Dieter Dorn production that first played The Met in 1999 with Heppner and Jane Eaglen as the leads.

On Saturday, audiences in movie theatres around the world, including SilverCity in Ancaster and Burlington, will have an opportunity to see The Met's Tristan und Isolde simulcast live.

But the $64,000 question is, who will sing Tristan?

Will it be Heppner? He has indicated he'll sing March 25 and 28. But will his condition improve by Saturday? Will it be Mac Master? Or a second cover?

"I believe there's a second cover," said Mac Master, "but I don't even know who he is. I've not seen him at any rehearsals."

The Met replaced Heppner with Gary Lehman last Friday and this past Tuesday.

Or will The Met fly in a tenor for Saturday's $1 million simulcast? Clifton Forbis, perhaps? Placido Domingo is a long shot. He has recorded the role, but has never sung it on stage. And he's contracted to sing in Madrid next week.

And how's this for a double whammy: Voigt fell ill midway through last Friday's performance and was replaced by her cover, Janice Baird. The plot thickens.

For more, click Classics at jamilton.ca.

Leonard Turnevicius writes on classical music for The Hamilton Spectator.

leonardturnevicius@hotmail.com