Introducing barihunk and zumba instructor Emmanuel Franco

Emmanuel Franco

Mexican-American barihunk Emmanuel Franco caught our attention as one of the three baritones competing in the finals of the 50th International Vocal Competition in 's-Hertogenbosch, Holland.

The Mexican born singer studied dance at the Gloria Campobello Dance Academy in Tijuana, Mexico before embarking on his vocal studies. He keeps in shape teaching zumba, a Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-routine.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is now a member of the Dutch National Opera Academy (DNOA) in Amsterdam. He was a member of the Domingo Embil Mexican Young Artist Program, twice earning the Placido Domingo Scholarship. He was winner of the Young Revelation and Best Male Voice prizes at the XXV edition of Carlo Morelli National Singing Competition in Mexico City.

On, Saturday,  August 2nd, he begins a tour of Korngold's operetta Die Stumme Serenade with the Dutch National Opera Academy and the NJO Orchestra Festival, with performances at the Luxor Theatre in Arnhem, The Netherlands and the Admirals Palast in Berlin, Germany. Performances run through August 10th and additional cast and performance information is available online.

Emmanuel Franco sings Mozart's "Hai gia vinta la causa":

The 30-year-old singer has performed throughout Mexico, the United States and Europe where
he has sang Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and Guglielmo in his Cosi fan Tutte with the Dutch National Opera Academy, Tarquinius and Junius in Britten's The Rape of Lucretia with the Opera Studio Nederland, and Yamadori in Puccini's Madama Butterfly with West Bay Opera and the Livermore Valley Opera in California.

Dancing since he was a child, Franco stays fit with his passion for zumba. While living in Mexico, he  got involved in ballet, contemporary dance, flamenco and ballroom dancing. While a student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he founded a zumba class in a nearby gym. After  graduation, he was certified as zumba instructor before moving to The Netherlands, where he has become a popular instructor (who even sings occasionally during class).

The vocal competition in 's-Hertogenbosch takes place from September 4-14, with singers performing pieces from opera/oratorio and lieder. The other baritones participating in the finals are Manos Gia from Germany and Henning Von Schulman from Sweden. Tickets are available online.