There's bad news and good news from Baltimore Opera as the company prepares to open its production of Verdi's drama-rich Rigoletto this week. The scheduled soprano for the role of Rigoletto's endearingly naive daughter Gilda, Stefania Bonfadelli, had to withdraw for health reasons, but Youngok Shin, the Korean-born singer who starred so memorably in the company's season-opening production of Lakme, will step in for three performances - Saturday, Nov. 20 and 24. Coincidentally, Gilda served as Shin's Metropolitan Opera debut a few years ago, also a substitution at short notice for an indisposed colleague.

For opening night Thursday, the role will be taken by Baltimore native Nicole Biondo, who will also sing, as previously scheduled, Nov. 17 and 22. Completing the cast will be the exceptional baritone Mark Delavan in the title role of the hunchbacked court jester who brings down a whopping curse on himself (Stephen Gaertner will be Rigoletto on Nov. 17) and tenor Stefano Secco as the licentious Duke (Yeghishe Manucharyan Nov. 17 and 22). The conductor is Andrea Licata, the director Roberto Lagana Manoli.

Performances are at the Lyric Opera House, 110 W. Mount Royal Ave. Tickets are $37 to $132. Call 410-727-6000.