Replacements, lacking the surprise factor

A press release from the Met says that there have been quite a few cast changes for the 2007-2008 season! Some of them don't come to a surprise to any of us.

Pay attention, this may be confusing:

Angela B. Brown will replace Maria Guleghina in Aida on September 29, October 4 an 16. Ms. Brown will sing, as scheduled, on November 2, 5, and 8. Micaela Carosi will replace Ms. Brown on October 30.
Maija Kovalevska will replace Krassimira Stoyonova as Micaela in Carmen on February 9, 8, 13. Ms. Stoyonova will sing all other performances. Lucio Gallo will sing (role debut) Escamillo in all performances next season.
Matthew Polenzani will sing Romeo in Romeo et Jiuliette opposite Anna Netrebko on the December 27 and 31 performances. Rolando Villazon will sing all other performances.
Neil Shicoff will not be singing in Peter Grimes at all this season. Since I'm guessing he backed out, Anthony Dean Griffey, will sing the entire run.
Isabel Bayrakdarian will be replaced by Ekaterina Siurina in the role of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro on November 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, and December 1. Ms. Bayrakdarian still holds her performances on October 2, 6, 10, and 13.
Maria Guleghina is replacing Andrea Gruber as Lady Macbeth on October 22, 26, 31, and November 3. Andrea Gruber is still scheduled for May 9, 13, and 17.
Maria Guleghina is not singing in the November 12, 16, 19, and 23 performances of Norma. Instead, Hasmik Papian will sing the Bellini opera. Ms. Guleghina is still scheduled for November 26, 30, December 4, and 7.
As Lady Macbeth we anxiously await the wonderful return of the lovely TBA, on January 5, 9, 12, and 15.

Run, everyone, and check your subscriptions! If you don't have a subscription, make sure that if you buy tickets you know which cast you're getting. It could be a very confusing process.

I, personally, was not at all surprised that they gave away at least some of Andrea Gruber's Lady Macbeth. Excuse me, but her vocal decline is painfully obvious. Come, come, we all heard that Turandot broadcast! I will be perfectly happy to see Maria Guleghina as Lady Macbeth. Most people don't seem surprised at Neil Shicoff either backing out or getting pushed out. Something to do with assuming in advance that he would not show up for rehearsals? What ever the case, the Met decides who stays and who goes.