Royal Opera House's Music Director Sang Turandot. The Audience Was Not Happy.

When Roberto Alagna fell ill mid-performance at the ROH on January 29, the house's Head of Music stepped into the pit and onto the stage to cover the role. The audience response was swift and brutal: boos, refund demands, and a masterclass in what happens when you ask a conductor to do two jobs at once. Here's what actually happened, and what it reveals about casting desperation at one of the world's most prestigious opera houses.