The Australian mezzo soprano has been dropped from OA’s Parsifal for reasons that at present remain a mystery.

Jacqueline Dark has been replaced in the role of Kundry for Opera Australia’s upcoming concert performances of Wagner’s Parsifal. The popular Australian mezzo soprano, who had previously expressed her great excitement at singing opposite star tenor Jonas Kaufmann, appears not to have “withdrawn” from the performances, raising questions from many on social media as to the reasons for the sudden and unannounced cast change.

“Hugely shocked to see OA have pulled the fabulous Jacqui Dark from Parsifal. She did not withdraw and no reason has been given,” wrote voice teacher, director and opera commentator Vicki Watson on the Limelight Facebook page. “This fabulous award winning Australian artist should be heard in this role,” she continued, posting an image of Dark and the hashtag #supportAUSTRALIANtalent. “Here’s strange: yesterday @jacquidark was in the Parsifal cast list w mega-star Jonas Kaufman. Today it’s US warbler Michelle de Young – eh?” tweeted Stage Noise’s Diana Simmonds. “@OperaAustralia ummm why has Jacqueline Dark’s name suddenly disappeared from the Parsifal cast list??? #confused” said another opera lover.