Barihunk duos in two Opera Philadelphia performances

Zachary James and John Moore in Mazzoli's Breaking Waves

Opera Philadelphia announced their 2016-17 season, which will include the barihunk duo of John Moore and Zachary James in the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s chamber opera Breaking the Waves, which features a libretto by Royce Vavrek. Mazzoli is a graduate of Opera Philadelphia’s Composer in Residence program.

The opera is based on the Oscar-nominated 1996 film by Lars von Trier. The libretto tells the story of Bess McNeill (sung by Kiera Duffy), a religious young woman with a deep love for her husband Jan (sung by John Moore), a handsome oil rig worker. When Jan becomes paralyzed in an off-shore accident, her marital vows are put to the test as he encourages her to seek other lovers and return to his bedside to tell him of her sexual activities. He insists that the stories will feel like they are making love together and keep him alive. Bess’s increasing selflessness leads to a finale of divine grace, but at great cost.

Performances will run from September 22 through October 1st. The cast also includes the rising tenor sensation David Portillo, Eve Gigliotti and Patricia Schuman.

Brandon Cedel and John Chest in The Marriage of Figaro

The company's new production of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro will feature the barihunk duo of Brandon Cedel as Figoro and John Chest as the Count. Performances will be at the Academy of Music and will also feature Ying Fang as Susanna, Layla Claire as the Countess, John Chest, Cecelia Hall as Cherubino and Patrick Carfizzi as Bartolo.

Other operas in the season include Puccini's Turandot with Christine Goerke in the title role and Daniel Belcher as Ping; a re-imaging of Verdi's Macbeth by South African director Brett Bailey set in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the title character as a Congolese warlord: and Stephanie Blythe making her role debut as the title character in Rossini’s Tancredi along with Daniel Mobbs as Orbazzano.

You can find more information on the Opera Philadelphia website.

Two barihunks in Lizzie Borden world premiere

David McFerrin & Daniel Mobbs

We can't think of a better opera to promote on Halloween than Jack Beeson's Lizzie Borden. The Boston Lyric Opera is presenting a new chamber version of the piece at their Opera Annex on November 20, 22, 23 and 24.

Of course, we all remember the basic synopsis from the children's rope-skipping rhyme: "Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one."

For those of you who don't know the story, Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted in the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. There has been controversy ever since about her guilt or innocence.

Boston Lyric Opera has commissioned a new chamber version of the work, which premiered in its full-length, three act version at the New York City Opera on March 25, 1965. The revised piece is in seven scenes and stars two singers who have appeared on this site, Daniel Mobbs as the father and David McFerrin as Captain Jason McFarlane.

For additional information or to purchase tickets call 617.542.6772 or email boxoffice@blo.org.

Opera Returns to Baltimore with Barihunk Nozze; Daniel Mobbs joins SFCM Staff

Daniel Mobbs performing Figaro in Baltimore (Photo by Julius Ahn)

When the economic collapse happened in 2008-2009, few things suffered more than the arts. Opera companies, small theaters and orchestras across the country shuttered their doors. One of the unfortunate victims was the creative Baltimore Opera, where many young singers launched their carees. We are pleased to announce that opera has returned with the Lyric Opera of Baltimore, which will be presenting Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro with barihunks Daniel Mobbs as Figaro and Marian Pop as the Count.

Opera in Baltimore has a long, rich history that dates back to the mid-18th century. Opera was initially influenced by the English and later by French refugees fleeing the Revolution. The first opera performed in Baltimore was John Gay's The Beggar's Opera in 1752. From 1883-1959, Baltimore was a regular stop for the Metropolitan Opera Tour and many of the biggest names in opera performed there.

Daniel Mobbs & Marian Pop bringing opera back to Baltimore (Photos by Julius Ahn)

Joining the two barihunks in Nozze will be Caitlin Lynch as the Countess, Janinah Burnett as Susanna and Kirsten Gunlogson as Cherubino. Performing in the pit will be the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Joseph Rescigno. The production will be directed by Bernard Uzan in a production from  L’Opéra de Montréal. Click HERE for tickets and additional information.

In related news, opera students on the West Coast were thrilled to learn that Daniel Mobbs will be joining the voice faculty staff at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in the fall of 2012. Interested students should click HERE for additional information.

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Daniel Mobbs: "The Marriage of Figaro" Onstage and Offstage

Daniel Mobbs and Vince Barone: Figaro Marries

American barihunk Daniel Mobbs decided to take his role in the "Marriage of Figaro" quite literally. Before heading to the Portland Opera for his appearance as Figaro in Mozart's opera, he tied the knot with his partner Vince Barone in New York City on October 7th.

Mobbs is returning to the Portland Opera after successful appearances as Don Giovanni in 2006 and Lord Sidney in Rossini's "Il viaggio a Reims."Performances are on November 4, 6, 10 and 12. Visit the Portland Opera website for tickets and additional performance information.

Regular readers of the site might recall that barihunk Jason Hardy popped the question to soprano Carrie Kahl after a performance of the "Marriage of Figaro" at Opera Birmingham in March 2010.

Here is Daniel Mobbs singing Figaro's arias, "Se vuol ballare" and "Aprite un po'quegli occhi" from 2009:



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Matt Worth on Minnesota Public Radio talks and sings Cosi fan tutte

Matt Worth

John Birge at the Minnesota Public Radio recently had Matt Worth on his program and his first question was about the singer's status as a barihunk. Fortunately for Worth, he didn't have to spend the whole interview talking about his looks. Fortunately for listeners, we are treated to him singing "Donna mie, la fate a tanti" from Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte," which Worth is performing at the Minnesota Opera.

You can listen to the broadcast HERE, as well as read an interview with the American singer on the Minnesota Opera's blog. The cast also includes barihunk Daniel Mobbs as Don Alfonso. Performances run through October 2nd and you click HERE for additional cast and performance information.


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Barihunk Breakout in Philly

Troy Cook performs in Philly (Ryan Collerd - The New York Times)

Troy Cook, who is one of only three barihunks to appear "The Full Okulitch" on this site was recently part of a New York Times article on the latest hot trend in opera, "Random Acts of Culture." These "spontaneous" public breakouts of opera have recently occurred at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, London's train stations, New York City and even Akron, Ohio.

Here is a video of Cook's performance at Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market where he is joined by fellow barihunks Norman Garrett and Daniel Mobbs. If anyone doesn't believe that music is good for the soul, check out the sheer joy on the faces of the people watching. They sure look happier than Phillies or Eagles fans.



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Barihunks Troy Cook, Norman Garrett & Daniel Mobbs

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Matt Worth leads cavalcade of barihunks at Minnesota Opera

Tenor James Valenti, Barihunk Matt Worth & Cosi poster

Matt Worth, winner of our "Hottest Future Superstar of 2010" will be starring in Cosi fan tutte at the Minnesota Opera. He will portray Guglielmo in a production that features fellow barihunk Daniel Mobbs as Don Alfonso.

The Minnesota Opera has a great tradition of finding future superstars, as well as promoting new American opera. For lovers of hunkentenors, the company has aggressively marketed James Valenti, including a video of him in the shower, which went viral on the internet.

Of course, we care about the lower voices that are dominating the opera stages of the world and Minnesota Opera delivers. In addition to Cosi, the company will perform Kevin Puts' Silent Night with barihunks Liam Bonner and Troy Cook (who appeared on this site performing the "Full Okultich"), Werther with barihunk Gabriel Preisser, Lucia di Lammermoor and Madama Butterfly also with Gabriel Preisser. Now let's hope that the barihunks creep into their wonderful marketing efforts, as well. For more information about the season visit the Minnesota Opera website.

Although there are no sure bets in life, we feel pretty confident that Matt Worth is going to be one of the major baritone stars of the next twenty years. He is truly one of the most gifted young singers we've heard in years. You can listen to Matt Worth sing arias from Cosi and other operas by clicking HERE.

We apologize for the video quality, but here is a good example of young Gabriel Preisser's singing. He is beginning to create a buzz with composers and opera companies across the country who are already  championing his career.



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Matthew Worth asked about Barihunks

[Matthew Worth photos from Virginia Opera]




Barihunk Matthew Worth, who is performing the title role in Don Giovanni with the Virginia Opera, was recently featured in the Virginian-Pilot newspaper. The reporter asked him about his thoughts on being featured on Barihunks.

The 31-year-old hunk told the reporter, "I take it for better or worse. It's a reality in our business, and that's sort of how I take it. When going to see 'La Boheme,' audiences don't want to see a Rodolfo who's 50 years old and 350 pounds. Same with Mimi."

We couldn't agree more.

Worth is appearing in the Mozart opera with fellow barihunks Daniel Mobbs and David Krohn.

Don't forget to vote in our poll, which is featured in the following post. We're looking for the "best sung" barihunk-tenor duet from Pearl Fishers. So far, Simon Keenlyside and Matthew Polenzani are running well ahead of the pack.

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A Barihunks Don Giovanni at Virginia Opera

Once again, an opera company has had the good sense to cast a Don Giovanni with three barihunks. Who wouldn't want to see Mozart's classic with the barihunk trio of Matthew Worth as Don Giovanni, Daniel Mobbs as Leporello and David Krohn as Masetto? The three baritones will appear in the Virginia Opera production opening on February 13 and running through March 7.

All three singers have appeared on this site before.

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Three Barihunks in Boston Lyric's "Carmen"

[Top photo of Greg Gerbrandt; Bottom photo of Daniel Mobbs by Jeffrey Dunn for Boston Lyric Opera]

We love any opera with a barihunk, but three barihunks in one opera is bariheaven. That's just what Boston Lyric Opera has put together, with Daniel Mobbs as Escamillo, Andrew Garland as Dancaïro, and a favorite on this site, Gregory Gerbrandt as Morales.

In this production we think Carmen should dump Don Jose and run off to Valencia with Dancaïro, Morales and Escamillo. Now that's living like a true gypsy!

Click HERE for tickets and information.
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