One the first singers to appear on Barihunks was Muslim Magomayev who I am sad to report passed away yesterday. Here is the ABC News report:
Singer Muslim Magomaev, a legendary crooner of the Soviet stage, died in Moscow on Saturday (local time) aged 66 after a long illness, his personal website and Russian news agencies reported.
Magomaev, who launched his career with an internship in Milan's famed La Scala opera theatre in 1963 and enjoyed great success in Paris's Olympia theatre, abandoned opera in favour of a more pop repertoire, becoming a legend of the Soviet Union's 1960s generation.
Born in Azerbaijan's capital Baku in 1942, Magomaev sang over 600 Russian and Neapolitan romances, classical arias and pop songs, and was himself author of over 20 songs and film soundtracks.
Named USSR People's Artist in 1973, Magomaev later founded Azerbaijan's state symphonic orchestra and headed it from 1975-1989.
"Muslim's death is one of the worst shocks for me, but his first appearance many years ago was also a shock - happy, sunny and wonderfully emotional, he immediately won over colleagues who admitted he was more talented," friend and fellow singer Lev Leshchenko said.
"Muslim was one and only, he gave people new hopes, and all of our country sang his songs - he was a great singer, a great artist," Mr Leshchenko told the Dni online newspaper.
Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin offered their condolences to Magomaev's widow, opera singer Tamara Sinyavskaya, with Russia's culture ministry comparing Magomaev to Frank Sinatra and Yves Montand in their statement.
Ninth round matches in Azerbaijan's football championship will begin with a minute of silence honouring Magomaev, website Azerisport.com reported.
It looks like Christopher Maltman is spending as much time at the gym as with his scores. He sounds great and looks even better. Maltman is BUFF!
How can I top Rex Reed's description of Nathan Gunn's recent performance in Camelot?
The Philharmonic never sounded fuller or richer, the score is still gorgeous, and the energy and charm of Nathan Gunn was so overwhelming you could forgive everything loopy that surrounded it. This was a Camelot (and a production of Camelot) that was clearly claimed and ruled by this dynamic, mesmerizing baritone, in a triumphant performance that transported Lancelot into the most dashing knight who ever turned a Round Table upside down. He has been praised throughout the world in a panoramic field of dramatic operas ranging from The Magic Flute and The Barber of Seville to Billy Budd and An American Tragedy, so his acting chops come as no revelation, but now Mr. Gunn has turned his first Broadway-style career crossover into a titanic triumph, capturing every aspect of Lancelot’s personality—pompus, hilariously vain and obsessively self-worshipping on “C’est Moi”; chivalrous and sexy in the Queen’s arms; valiant with a sword; growing into tenderness and humility after betraying the king he loves more than his own ego—with a virile and colorful stage presence, a convincing French accent and a lyrical voice rich in depth and tone. Unless the music world has given up the search for another Alfred Drake, someone is busily creating a new Broadway musical just for him, as we speak. Camelot sometimes meandered, but Nathan Gunn was unforgettable.
About two months ago I posted a video of the adorable Jose Carbo singing the Largo. Here he is at the Teatro Real with the amazing tenor Lawrence Brownlee singing "Al idea di quel metallo." In a bit of luxury barihunk casting the role of Basilio was sung by Ildebrando d'Arcangelo.
I've received a couple of emails from Carbo's colleagues who say that he is the nicest person to work with.
The Barber is not usually a barihunk role, but Michael Mayes looks pretty good in this performance (which I believe is from Duluth). We're looking forward to seeing a lot more of this artist who finished third in the Met auditions in Chicago.
While he is justly famous for his vocal prowess and acting, Nathan Gunn has received almost more fame for his physique, a peculiar feat for an opera singer.
It looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of Nathan Gunn in all of his cuteness, as his next three roles are in the Magic Flute (and he is the world's most adorable Papageno), Rape of Lucretia and the world premiere of Andre Previn's "A Brief Encounter" based on a Noel Coward play.
Let's just hope that he sings in briefs!
[Top photo, music critic Hugh Shirley; Bottom photo, barihunk Christopher Maltman]Christopher Maltman is asked about being mentioned on the Barihunks site by Hugh Shirley on the MusicalCriticism site at www.musicalcriticism.com. Shirley, by the way, would fit right in amongst our operatic beefcake - see top photo. Here is part of what the Canadian barihunk had to say:
I mention the fact that when searching online for information about the Salzburg Don Giovanni, the first result was was a 'Barihunks' blog. Maltman laughs uproariously. He tells me this doesn't bother him but that it's irrelevant..."I think I give the same answer to that kind of interpretation. I try and do my job as well as I possibly can and for me, personally, that involves me being in good shape. I feel I'm more able to do what I want on stage and am more comfortable in the role I'm playing"
I was thrilled to return from my vacation and find a number of readers had sent me pictures of Teddy Tahu Rhodes from the recent Billy Budd at Opera Australia and a screen shot of an interview that he did with ABC News Australia.
Finally a new picture of Teddy Bare from Billy Budd, courtesy of the New Zealand Herald. That paper also ran this fun quote from our beloved barihunk Teddy Tahu Rhodes:Also, OperaChic reported that Teddy Bare is marrying the equally stunning mezzo Isabel Leonard.He is relaxed about the headlines about his good looks. If it improves his marketability, then good. "We can be politically correct and say casting is not about that, but ..."
He hastens to add it's ultimately about the voice, but in an increasingly mobile world if a director has to choose between two singers of the same level, "I guess they'd go for the package they thought was right."
The third picture from the top is the latest hot photo of The Hot Pole Mariusz Kwiecien singing his signature role of Don Giovanni in London. The photo second from the top is allegedly from Canada. The article accompanying the center photo has Kwiecien quoted as saying that he did an "uncomfortable" photo shoot with the Polish version of Cosmoplitan magazine. I googled like crazy, but couldn't find the photo. I even tried the Polish sites and was that an adventure. What some people will do to get a photo of a Hot Pole.
