Sexy "Elixir of Love" in Graz

Andrè Schuen  (Foto © Werner Kmetitsch/Oper Graz)

Two years ago we received an email from Germany alerting us to the emerging young Tyrolean talent Andrè Schuen. Remarkably, we lost track of him until we were alerted a second time. This time it was for his sexy and shirtless performance of Belcore in Donizetti's "The Elixir of Love" ("Der Liebestrank" in German) at the Graz Opera in Austria.

Schuen is another in a long list of barihunks who have been winning vocal competitions, having taken first place in both the Walter-und-Charlotte-Hamel-Stiftung competition and the Mozarteum Internationale Sommerakademie competition. In Salzburg, he made a name for himself by conquering everything from Luigi Nono to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Andrè Schuen sings "Hai gia vinta la causa! from Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro:

Graz's Elixir was co-produced with Valencia and Madrid and the sets look like a beach party on a Mediterranean beach resort, with giant cans of beer, bars, beach balls, lifeguards, cheerleaders,  shirtless boys, women in bikinis and a foam party. We still believe that opera can succeed in attracting younger audiences with old warhouses and this production is a prime example. From all accounts, the production has been enthusiastically received.

Margareta Klobucar as Adina with her sexy ensemble boys

Schuen will next appear in Graz as Ford in Verdi's Falstaff opening in January 2013 and Gasparone in Karl Millöcker's Der Fremde opening a month later. 

Next summer, Schuen will graduate to the title character in Mozart's Don Giovanni from the role of Masetto, which he has performed in Graz. His Don Giovanni will premiere in Montpellier on June 6-16, 2013 and Versailles on June 23, 25 & 27, 2013.

Wilfried Zelinka as Dulcamara

Oberwölz native Wilfried Zelinka also cut a sexy figure as Dulcamara. A member of the ensemble at Graz, he's sung Bartolo in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," Masetto in Mozart's "Don Giovanni," Talbot in Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda," Raimondo in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," and Escamillo in Bizet's "Carmen." He will portray Pistola opposite Schuen in next year's "Falstaff."

Andrè Schuen

There are a number of performance of Elixir left in Graz, including an alternate cast, so check their website for dates and casts.

If you want to see 14 more singers as sexy as Andrè Schuen, buy our 2013 Barihunks Charity Calendar and enjoy them all year: