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Dramatic dash to debut by soprano Dramatic dash to debut by soprano
(about 16 hours later)
Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw made a dramatic journey to her unexpected debut at the Glyndebourne Festival when the show's star fell off the stage.Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw made a dramatic journey to her unexpected debut at the Glyndebourne Festival when the show's star fell off the stage.
Ronmaniw, 22, was in London when she was told soprano Ana Maria Martinez had tumbled into the orchestra pit at the venue about 60 miles (96km) away. Romaniw, 22, was in London when she was told soprano Ana Maria Martinez had tumbled into the orchestra pit at the venue about 60 miles (96km) away.
When she arrived on Friday night, she had only minutes to spare to replace the understudy to Martinez.When she arrived on Friday night, she had only minutes to spare to replace the understudy to Martinez.
She said: "I woke up this morning and couldn't believe it had happened."She said: "I woke up this morning and couldn't believe it had happened."
Puerto Rican soprano Ana Maria Martinez was discharged from hospital "a little bruised" and sent home to recover after her fall during the Act I of Rusalka, where she was in the title role.Puerto Rican soprano Ana Maria Martinez was discharged from hospital "a little bruised" and sent home to recover after her fall during the Act I of Rusalka, where she was in the title role.
Unfortunately, I had to catch the train home with the make-up still on me - people were looking at me - they must have thought I was bit distressed! Natalya RomaniwUnfortunately, I had to catch the train home with the make-up still on me - people were looking at me - they must have thought I was bit distressed! Natalya Romaniw
Her understudy Natasha Jouhl continued in the principal role, but only after Ronmaniw, from Morriston, Swansea, made a near last-minute entrance to replace her as first nymph in Act III.Her understudy Natasha Jouhl continued in the principal role, but only after Ronmaniw, from Morriston, Swansea, made a near last-minute entrance to replace her as first nymph in Act III.
Romaniw, who represented Wales in this year's BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, is a student at the Guildhall School of Music and had just finished rehearsals with the British Youth Opera when the call came through about Martinez.Romaniw, who represented Wales in this year's BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, is a student at the Guildhall School of Music and had just finished rehearsals with the British Youth Opera when the call came through about Martinez.
She was put on the next train to Lewes, was picked up at the railway station by her singing teacher and arrived at the Glyndebourne performance 10 minutes before the interval was due to end.She was put on the next train to Lewes, was picked up at the railway station by her singing teacher and arrived at the Glyndebourne performance 10 minutes before the interval was due to end.
She said: "Then the director took me thought the moves on the set.She said: "Then the director took me thought the moves on the set.
"I had not been on the set before - I had to just to get on with it, really."I had not been on the set before - I had to just to get on with it, really.
Ana Maria Martinez was left bruised after her fall into the orchestra pitAna Maria Martinez was left bruised after her fall into the orchestra pit
"It was one of those surreal moments when you don't think it is going to be happening."It was one of those surreal moments when you don't think it is going to be happening.
"When you're a cover [understudy] it's quite hard. The last time I went through the role was about month ago."When you're a cover [understudy] it's quite hard. The last time I went through the role was about month ago.
"You get a certain amount of rehearsals but I had to really concentrate and remember what we we doing back then."You get a certain amount of rehearsals but I had to really concentrate and remember what we we doing back then.
"I did have my iPod with me so I was listening to the music on the way there on the train. I was very anxious to get there. It was actually real fun. It was over in 20 minutes.""I did have my iPod with me so I was listening to the music on the way there on the train. I was very anxious to get there. It was actually real fun. It was over in 20 minutes."
Mud-coloured paintMud-coloured paint
Her role as a wood nymph meant a costume of a paper skirt imitating dark wood and mud-coloured paint on her face and neck.Her role as a wood nymph meant a costume of a paper skirt imitating dark wood and mud-coloured paint on her face and neck.
She said: "Unfortunately, I had to catch the train home with the make-up still on me. People were looking at me. They must have thought I was bit distressed!"She said: "Unfortunately, I had to catch the train home with the make-up still on me. People were looking at me. They must have thought I was bit distressed!"
Romaniw, who joins the Guildhall's Opera Course in September, described Martinez as "an amazing soprano". She added: "I did Facebook her last night to wish her well."Romaniw, who joins the Guildhall's Opera Course in September, described Martinez as "an amazing soprano". She added: "I did Facebook her last night to wish her well."
She regularly appears as guest soloist with Welsh male voice choirs, including the Morriston Orpheus, Pontarddulais and the Dunvant.She regularly appears as guest soloist with Welsh male voice choirs, including the Morriston Orpheus, Pontarddulais and the Dunvant.
She has also sung the anthem for Wales' European football fixtures at the Millennium Stadium.She has also sung the anthem for Wales' European football fixtures at the Millennium Stadium.
Glyndebourne has hosted an opera festival since 1934 and is holding special celebrations for its 75th anniversary this summer.Glyndebourne has hosted an opera festival since 1934 and is holding special celebrations for its 75th anniversary this summer.
The festival runs from May until August each year and is attended by about 85,000 people.The festival runs from May until August each year and is attended by about 85,000 people.
A spokeswoman for Glyndebourne said: "It was a remarkable evening all round but not one we would like to repeat.A spokeswoman for Glyndebourne said: "It was a remarkable evening all round but not one we would like to repeat.
"Without those wonderful people [Natalya and Natasha] stepping up to the plate, we would not have been able to carry on.""Without those wonderful people [Natalya and Natasha] stepping up to the plate, we would not have been able to carry on."