Bryn Terfel's pull-out from the ROH is his call

Bryn Terfel in the title role of Sweeney Todd. Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Bryn Terfel has fallen spectacularly from grace in the eyes of the opera cognoscenti after his "shocking" withdrawal from the Royal Opera House's forthcoming Ring Cycle. Even though the would-be Wotan made the announcement nearly two weeks ago, the music world is still in paroxysms of indignation: witness Norman Lebrecht in the Evening Standard, comparing Terfel's "abdication" to a general walking out in the middle of a war, or a football captain pulling out of a World Cup. Serious stuff indeed.

Lebrecht is correct to conclude, however, that the opera world needs Bryn far more than Bryn needs it. As far as Terfel is concerned, he is a family man whose operatic endeavours and concert engagements are the bread and butter that supports his wife and children. That he has been blessed with one of the great bass-baritone voices of our age only makes it easier for him to put the things that matter most to him first, even if that equates to pulling out of the biggest role of his career.

Can we really criticise him for getting his priorities straight? After all, the Royal Opera House had a replacement for Terfel - by way of the great Sir John Tomlinson - signed up within hours of his cancellation. Terfel's wife Lesley Jones, on the other hand, doesn't have the luxury of flipping through a little black book and calling in a replacement father for her three children, one of whom is due in hospital this week with a broken finger. As much as we might feel let down by Terfel's decision, we should at least respect his disinclination to put career ahead of family.

Besides, there is little doubt that Terfel's talent will once again see him headline a production at Covent Garden. As much as music director Antonio Pappano might prefer to see his head on a spike rather than a poster right now, ROH management will be all too aware that it is the Terfels of this world who really keep their business afloat. Terfel knows it too, and like countless serial cancellers before him, he knows he will always have the latitude to achieve the sort of work-life balance that suits him best. If and when he does decide to sing Wotan again, he will do so entirely on his own terms - we will just have to cross our fingers and hope he turns up.