Soprano Swenson takes a break

Soprano Ruth Ann Swenson has withdrawn from a New York City Opera production this fall to recuperate from treatments after surgery for breast cancer.

Swenson was operated on in October and sang at the Metropolitan Opera in March and April as Marguerite in Gounod’s “Faust” and Cleopatra in Handel’s “Giulio Cesare.” She had been scheduled to perform in Handel’s “Agrippina” Oct. 14 through Nov. 2; City Opera said Friday she will be replaced by Nelly Miricioiu.

“Ruth Ann is in excellent health,” said Swenson’s spokeswoman, Georgiana Francisco. “However, she has recently been advised by her doctors that the next, and expected, phase of her recovery will require a longer recuperation period than anticipated.”