The Original Barihunks

Mariusz Kwiecien (Nick Heavican/Metropolitan Opera)

It's been almost four years since we started Barihunks and we've been blown away by the popularity of the site. We often get asked why we started the site. The picture of Mariusz Kwiecien featured above appeared in the Sunday, September 18, 2011 version of the New York Times. It prompted us to tell the story (which you can also hear on the Texapolitan Opera podcast featured on the right-hand column).

Mariusz Kwiecien was the original inspiration for this site. His steamy, sexy Don Giovanni at the San Francisco Opera, which was recorded and recently rebroadcast on television, prompted a discussion amongst friends about creating a tribute site. We felt that a site dedicated to one singer didn't have broad enough appeal. However, when we start thinking of other sexy singers, a slew of baritones rolled off of our tongues: Erwin Schrott, Dimitri Hvorostovsky, Nathan Gunn...

The list went on and on and on. The natural result was a site dedicated to the baritone-hunks of opera. (FYI, it's pronounced Bear-a-Hunk, not Berry-Hunk).

The original Barihunks: Erwin Schrott, Nathan Gunn & Dmitri Hvorostovsky

We believe that director Francesca Zambello coined the term to describe Nathan Gunn in her production of "Iphigénie en Tauride" at Glimmerglass  in 1997 opposite the equally sexy tenor Bill Burden.

GUNN AND BURDEN MAKING OPERA SEXY IN PEARL FISHERS:



We've been heartened by the amazing emails and support we've received about the site. We received this note from a singer today, "Thanks for showing that opera can be as sexy as anything in the movies or on TV. Your site has shaken up the world of opera for the better." It summed up our intentions perfectly!

Kwiecien: So sexy he launched an opera phenomenon

For other fans of the original barihunk, Mariusz Kwiecien, he's back as Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera beginning October 13th. For those who can't be in NY, the performance will be broadcast worldwide on November 16th as part of the Met's "Live in HD." Check your local listings for performance locations.

We're glad you're enjoying the site. Feel free to email us with comments, suggestion or tips on opera performances or singers at Barihunks@gmail.com.

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