Show goes on for injured soprano

Sally gave a flawless performance despite being unable to stand

A renowned soprano who injured her leg while singing an opera in Glasgow ensured the show went on by performing the final two acts in a wheelchair.

South African Sally Silver damaged her calf muscle during Scottish Opera's production of Lucia Di Lammermoor.

The injury left Sally unable to walk and colleagues feared the performance would have to be cut short.

But she delivered a note-perfect finale after being wheeled back on stage at the Theatre Royal.

Sally borrowed the wheelchair from a member of the audience before being pushed out from behind the curtain to rapturous applause on Saturday, the second night of the opera's run.

Despite managing to complete the matinee show, she had to be replaced in the eponymous role of Lucia by Glasgow soprano Christina Dunwoodie for Tuesday's performance.

It is hoped Sally, who is still on crutches, will be able to return to the stage in time for the opera's final Glasgow shows next week, before the production goes on tour to Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Stoke.

We announced to the audience beforehand what was going on, and they gave Sally a huge round of applause when she reappeared Scottish Opera spokeswoman

A spokeswoman for Scottish Opera said: "Sally hurt her calf during the first act and was in real agony but in the true spirit of the theatre she was adamant the show must go on.

"Our quick-thinking general director Alex Reedijk borrowed the wheelchair from one of our regular supporters, and Sally was pushed back on stage for the final two acts.

"We announced to the audience beforehand what was going on, and they gave Sally a huge round of applause when she reappeared. She is an absolute trooper and gave a flawless performance."

Lucia Di Lammermoor, which is based on the Sir Walter Scott novel The Bride of Lammermoor, opened last week to critical acclaim.

The opera, by Gaetano Donizetti, tells the true story of a feud between the Ashton and Ravenswood families in the Scottish lowlands in 1669.

Sally, who trained as an opera singer in South Africa before moving to London, has performed leading roles in many of Europe's major opera houses.