Opera returns to historic Philly opera house with André Courville

Ezio Pinza and André Courville (photo: Dario Acosta)

 

Opera will return to the Metropolitan Opera House in Philadelphia for what is believed to be the first time since 1934 when the Academy of Vocal Arts presents the BrAVA Philadelphia! concert on March 28, 2020.

The partial list of singers includes bass-barihunk André Courville along with sopranos Angela Meade, Latonia Moore, and Vanessa Vasquez; tenors Michael Fabiano, Bryan Hymel, and Taylor Stayton; and mezzo-soprano Hannah Ludwig.

The recently restored 3,100 seat theater opened in 1908 with a production of Carmen and was the site for the U.S. premiere of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck in 1931with Leopold Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra.

New York's Metropolitan Opera used to perform regularly in Philadelphia and many of the most famous baritones and basses of the early 20th century performed there, including Fyodor Chaliapin, Edouard de Reszke, Antonio Scotti, Pasquale Amato, Giuseppe De Luca, Lawrence Tibbett, George Cehanovsky and Ezio Pinza.

The building has been used as a movie house, ballroom, sports venue, and church. After decades of neglect and deferred maintenance, it reopened in December 2018 with a special appearance by Bob Dylan following a reported $56 million renovation. Now called Met Philadelphia, it hosts more than a dozen shows a month as a Live Nation venue.

Tickets to the concert are available online.

Lawrence Tibbett's Birthday Suit

Dear Rogue: A Biography of the American Baritone Lawrence Tibbett

Today is the birthday of the legendary Lawrence Tibbett who was born on this day in 1896. He may not be the quintessential barihunk (like our birthday boy Paul La Rosa), but he was a huge star in movies, on the radio, in musical theater and on the operatic stage. He sang over 600 performances at the Metropolitan Opera from 1923-1950 where he was a fan favorite and to this day is considered one of the greatest Verdi baritones to grace that stage.

It's about the singing

A lot of people visit this site to see some skin, although we maintain it's about the singing. There is a famous clip of Lawrence Tibbett from his final movie "Under Your Spell" from 1936 where he appears in his birthday suit singing with the birds, frogs, an airplane and a female visitor. We thought it was appropriate to show the clip on his birthday, which you can see HERE. Before you send us an email, keep in mind that this a 1930s version of male nudity in a movie.

Tibbett sang a variety of roles including Silvio, Falstaff, Valentin, Tonio, the King's Herald in Lohengrin, Scarpia, Simon Boccanegra and the world premiere of The Emperor Jones. He was an equally big star off the operatic stage and was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in The Rogue Song. Here he is singing "Wanting You" with Grace Moore, who also crossed over between opera and movies.

 

Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

You can help create the next generation of Lawrence Tibbett's by purchasing your 2012 Barihunks charity calendar. All proceeds go to benefit young artists programs. The calendar features 33 of the hottest singers from six countries. Click HERE to purchase your own calendar or make it the perfect holiday gift.