Evgeny Nikitin will perform in the METS Parsifal next year

Despite the latest controversy over the, then very young, Nikitin's tattoos -  which lead to him withdrawing from this years Dutchman at Bayreuth -  it seems that he will still be performing as Klingsor in the MET's new Parsifal next year - according to a MET spokesperson today.

Withdrawing from Bayreuth Nikitin said: "I had them done in my youth (the tattoos). It was a big mistake, and I wish I'd never done it. I was not aware of the extent of the irritation and offense these signs and symbols would cause, particularly in Bayreuth given the context of the festival's history."