Barihunk Ken Mattice in German premiere of Everest

Ken Mattice

Barihunk Ken Mattice, who appears in our calendar and photo book this year, will star in the German premiere of Joby Talbot's Everest at Theater Hagen. The piece was commissioned by the Dallas Opera, where it debuted in 2015 starring barihunk Craig Verm, who is an actual climber. The opera at Theater Hagen runs through July 1st and tickets and cast information is available online.

The opera confronts the tragic events surrounding an ill-fated Everest expedition. Librettist Gene Scheer was fascinated by the infamous 1996 expeditions of the mountain. He wrote the libretto for Everest after traveling around the world to interview survivors of that doomed climb. Talbot told NPR that he was especially eager to create a sound world around the peak.

Everest was British composer Joby Talbot's first opera, after a career that has has included writing for film, television and ballet. The opera is also slated to receive it's Canadian premiere in February 2019. 

This summer, Mattice will be singing Fred Graham and Petrucchio in Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate at Theater Hagen. 

NPR features segment on Dallas Opera world premiere

Andrew Bidlack (left) & Craig Verm (right) in Everest

The Dallas Opera just wrapped up the world premier of composer Joby Talbot and librettist Gene Scheer's Everest at the Dallas Opera.  The opera confronts the tragic events surrounding an ill-fated Everest expedition and features actual climber and barihunk Craig Verm, who made his debut with the company. NPR recently ran a segment on the production, which you can listen to online.

Gene Scheer was fascinated by the infamous 1996 expeditions. He wrote the libretto for Everest after traveling around the world to interview survivors of that doomed climb. Everest is British composer Joby Talbot's first opera, after a career that has has included writing for film, television and ballet. Talbot tells NPR that he was especially eager to create a sound world around the peak.

Boehrihunk: John David Boehr

The cast included hunkentenor Andrew Bidlack, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, bass Kevin, barihunk John David Boehr and was conducted by the Nicole Paiement.

Craig Verm and Kevin Burdette team up again on March 13 and 15 at the Florentine Opera in Milwaukee  for Robert Aldridge's Elmer Gantry. Tickets and additional information are available online. John David Boehr (aka Boehrihunk) can next be seen on February 11th performing scenes and arias in Opera Viva! with Minnesota Opera at the Covenant Village of Golden Valley.