Sharon Stone has canceled her appearance in Barcelona due to wildfires in her hometown of Los Angeles.

In a last-minute change, New York singer-songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright will take on the role of narrator to his own work Dream Requiem, its Spanish premiere, replacing actress Sharon Stone. Stone had been announced as the narrator of the concert a few weeks ago. This morning, the actress expressed her deep regret at the decision to cancel her participation due to the magnitude and consequences of the devastating wildfires affecting Los Angeles, her hometown, which are the worst ever recorded in the history of the Californian metropolis. Stone stated that she is canceling her appearance and staying in Los Angeles during this devastating time to care for her home, family, and community. The actress, who is actively working to assist families displaced by the fires, has been instructed by authorities to evacuate her residence, as it could potentially be affected by the fires in the coming days.

Rufus Wainwright has expressed deep regret over Sharon’s absence from Dream Requiem and shared his excitement about the opportunity to step in as narrator: “I am deeply saddened that Sharon cannot come to Barcelona to narrate Dream Requiem, which is about exactly what my fellow citizens of Los Angeles are experiencing right now: environmental disasters and ecological collapse. I hope she and her family are safe. We all need to come together during these challenging times, and Spain has also suffered from wildfires and other catastrophes in the past. At the same time, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to step in as narrator and, as the composer, to perform my own work. Having this happen on the stage of the Palau de la Música Catalana, one of the venues where I have performed many times and which I hold dear, is a great privilege and honor. I have always felt particularly welcomed by the Catalan audience,” he stated.

The concert, scheduled for Saturday, January 25 (Concert Hall, 8 p.m.) at the Palau de la Música Catalana, will feature the participation of the Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra (OBC), the Orfeó Català, the Orfeó Català Children’s Choir, and soprano Anna Prohaska, all under the direction of Ludovic Morlot.