A back injury, following a fall last year, means Daniel Barenboim must withdraw from Barbara Frittoli’s recital and at least three performances of Götterdämmerung at La Scala. Instead he will be receiving "intensive" medical treatment in Berlin. Karl-Heinz Steffens will stand in for Barenboim on the three performances on 18, 22, 26 May. Steffen's made his debut at La Scala 12 months ago with Don Giovanni. It is believed that Barenboim will return to conduct Götterdämmerung for its performance on the 30th May.Press Release reads:
"A fall on his back last October has caused Maestro Daniel Barenboim some difficulty in his movements which has, with time, caused him severe pain in his right hip and leg. Since October Il Maestro has been able to fulfil all his commitments. However, the continuing problem requires that Maestro Barenboim receives intensive medical treatment in Berlin. Therefore he will be unable to perform in Barbara Frittoli’s recital, and will miss the first three performances of Götterdämmerung, but he is confident that he will be able to resume work at the end of May."
