Vienna - Mexican star tenor Rolando Villazon has again cancelled performances for a period of several months, as his management said Wednesday he will have to undergo vocal chord surgery. The opera singer is not expected to perform until 2010, according to the press release.

The Vienna State Opera said it would have to replace Villazon for his title role in Jules Massenet's Werther in May.

The tenor has been troubled by health problems since 2006, which have forced him to pause in past years. He currently suffers from a cyst on his vocal chords.

In 2010, Villazon is scheduled to appear at the Vienna State Opera alongside Russian soprano Anna Netrebko in much-anticipated performances of Bizet's Carmen.

"I am looking forward to performing and to seeing you again next year," Villazon said in a message to his fans. (dpa)