Wesley Daniel, injured Lyric Opera performer, returns to stage in 'Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg'

Wesley Daniel returns to the Lyric Opera stage after suffering burns in preparation for his performance as a fire-blowing stilt-walker in Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg.”

The 24-year old was injured on Feb. 4 in Chicago during a dress rehearsal, receiving second-degree burns around his mouth, when an attempt to spit flammable liquid on a torch went awry, the Associated Press reported .

After the performer was released from the hospital on Feb. 7, Dr. Arthur Sanford of Loyola University Medical Center told the Associated Press that Daniel suffered what equates to a “deep sunburn,” which should heal in two weeks.

According to NWI Times Magda Krance, a spokesperson for Lyric Opera, said that the special effect was given the green light by the Chicago Fire Department but has since been stricken from the performance.

Daniel will return to work as an understudy in “Die Meistersinger von Nuernberg” until it completes its run on March 3.

"I feel terrific and am looking forward to putting this whole incident behind me and getting back on stage," Daniel said, according to NBC.