Craig Verm takes on Billy Budd in Chile

Craig Verm in Santiago for Billy Budd rehearsals

American barihunk Craig Verm has graduated from the small role of the Novice's Friend in Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd to the title role of the opera. He'll be performing the opera at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago from August 16-26. In 2007, Verm first appeared in the opera in Pittsburgh opposite the Billy Budd of Nathan Gunn and the thrilling Claggart of Greer Grimsley. The production was directed by the woman who inspired Barihunks, Francesca Zambello, who is notorious for casting shirtless men. No word yet if Verm will be shirtless in Billy Budd, but we have a strong suspicion that he will.

The Santiago performances will also feature Cuban bass-barihunk Homero Pérez-Miranda as Mr. Ratcliffe.

Craig Verm as the Novice's Friend and Greer Grimsley as Claggart in Pittsburgh

Verm will be returning to the Pittsburgh Opera from November 9-17 as Papageno in Mozart's Magic Flute. On October 10 and 12, he'll be performing Zurga in Bizet's Les pecheurs des perles and odds are that he'll appear shirtless again.