Okay, weak attempt at humor there – but the world of opera is always good for a dash of drama and one venue which always fits the bill is La Scala in Milan.

They really take their opera seriously those Italians and any singer stepping out on stage at this famed opera house must require nerves of steel – anyone is open to the infamous booing, even Pavarotti had his fair share of verbal tomato-throwing over the years. No-one is completely immune at La Scala.

Cinderella-stories are particularly true in this industry and last night a young American tenor got that legendary chance of a lifetime when he was asked to step into the shoes of the resident tenor-donna.

Giuseppe Filianoti was sacked at the last minute from his lead role in the much awaited new production of Don Carlo for making too many mistakes during rehearsals – like I said, they take their opera seriously guys!

Cinderfella-in-waiting was American tenor Stuart Neill who was asked to pull Giuseppe’s boots on quick smart and get his tonsils into gear. Neill has previously sung second and third cast roles but performed the role of Don Carlo to the liking of the La Scala crowd – lucky for him.

Okay, a smattering of boo’s here and there but even Pavarotti was booed in this particular role back in 1982, and the mid 90′s if memory serves correctly.  Like I said, you’d need nerves of steel to sing on that stage and Neill received a very generous reception.

But bouquets to Stuart Neill – filling someone elses shoes on such consecrated ground in front of that critical crowd…every understudies dream (with a little bit of dread thrown in for good measure too I’d say…)