Two Big Announcements out of San Francisco

Jesse Blumberg performing "Green Sneakers"

Jesse Blumberg

There are two big announcements out San Francisco, one dealing with a small production and one with the City's international opera company.

Tickets have gone on sale for the West Coast premiere of American Composer Ricky Ian Gordon's highly personal masterpiece "Green Sneakers." The work was written as a way for Gordon to find solace from the grief of losing his partner, Jeffrey Grossi, to AIDS, and following their last few months together. Hailed as “a triumph”, ”superb mini-opera”, “a masterpiece” by Opera Today. Every live performance of the piece has become a cathartic experience and left the audience transformed and uplifted. Barihunk Jesse Blumberg, who created the piece, joins San Francisco's exciting Del Sol Quartet in this performance. We've referred to this piece as a modern day "Winterreise" and it is not to be missed!

Director John De Los Santos

The work will be performed at the Southside Theater at Fort Mason in San Francisco on February 19th. Seating is limited, so purchase tickets today. Fans of Blumberg in New York are in luck, as Green Sneakers will be featured as part of Lincoln Center Presents on April 6th at the Kaplan Penthouse. Tickets are available online. The San Francisco performance will be directed by John De Los Santos, who we named the top opera director in 2010.

Greer Grimsley returns to San Francisco

The San Francisco Opera has also announced its 2013-14 season, which features some of the most famous and popular barihunks in the business. Ildar Abdrazakov will take on the title role in Boito's Mefistofele opposite soprano Patricia Racette and tenor Ramón Vargas. The opera company is reviving the 1989 Robert Carsen production that famously made Samuel Ramey a certifiable bare-chested barihunk. 

In an unapologetic nod to ticket sales being a priority, General Director David Gockley announced that uber-barihunk Nathan Gunn will reprise the role of  Gaylord Ravenal in Jerome Kern's Show Boat that won him rave reviews at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. 

Fans of Greer Grimsley will be thrilled to learn that he's coming to the fair city by the Bay with a Wagner score in his hand. The booming bass will be taking on the title role in Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. 

Two barihunks who have appeared on this site will alternate the title role in Rossini's The Barber of Seville. Lucas Meachem will sing opposite the Rosina of Isabel Leonard and Audun Iversen will sing opposite Daniela Mack. The adorable tenor Alek Shrader will also be singing in performances that feature Daniela Mack, his real-life wife. 

For the complete season, check out the San Francisco Opera's official season announcement. 

Don't forget to purchase your 2013 Barihunks Charity Calendar: