Barihunk Cover Boys: Ildar Abradzakov & Alex Esposito

Alex Esposito & Ildar Abradzakov

We've previously reported on the wonderful trend of barihunk cover boys increasingly gracing the front of the leading music magazines in the world. We particularly love it when they're featured in February, the month of Valentine's Day. Alex Esposito was featured on the cover of the German magazine Das Opernglas and Ildar Abdrazakov is featured on Opera News, both draped in Valentine's Day hot red.

Alex Esposito is in the middle of the sold out run of Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Royal Opera House opposite fellow barihunk heartthrobs Mariusz Kwiecien as the Don and Alexander Tsymbalyuk as the Commendatore. Ildar Abrdrazakov is in the gorgeous production of Borodin's infrequently performed Prince Igor at the Metropolitan Opera.

Fortunately for opera lover, both performances are being broadcast worldwide. The March 1st performance of Prince Igor will be broadcast live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera. You can click HERE to find a theater near you.

The February 12th performance of Don Giovanni will be broadcast live to cinemas in Europe. and taped for screenings worldwide throughout March. If you're in Europe, check the Royal Opera House website for listings. If you're outside of Europe, check your local movie listings.

Abdrazakov next takes on the four villains in Offenbach's Les contes d’Hoffmann at the Wiener Staatsoper from May 23 to June 4. Esposito next takes on Alidoro in Rossini's La Cenerentola from the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich from March 4-12.

Watch Ildar Abdrazakov online in the Verdi Requiem

Ildar Abdrazakov

The Verdi centenary continues online with video from the October 10th performance of his Requiem with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Riccardo Muti. One of the featured singers in barihunk Ildar Abdrazakov, who is joined by mezzo-soprano Daniela Barcellona, soprano Tatiana Serjan and tenor Mario Zeffiri.

The broadcast is also hosted by Samuel Ramey, who many consider the orginal barihunk. He still looks great at 71. Click HERE to watch it in its entirety.

You can see Abdrazakov with the London Symphony Orchestra as part of Valery Gergiev's tribute to Hector Berlioz. Abdrazakov will be singing in The Damnation of Faust on November 3 and 7, and in Romeo and Juliet on November 6 and 13. Click HERE for additional information or tickets.

U.S. audiences can next catch him from February 6-March 8 at the Metropolitan Opera in Borodin's Prince Igor.

Who gets the money for the Charity Calendar? 

This year we're looking for originality on Facebook and Twitter. We'll consider any idea that involves young artists, not just young artist programs...video projects...recital ideas...you name it.

Most LIKES on Facebook and most retweets on Twitter will increase your odds of winning.  (Use #Barihunks2014). Post your comments to our Facebook feed with who you should think is deserving of the a charitable contribution and why.

Hvorostovsky in Russian Opera

Dmitri Hvorostovsky

We received two emails about our Russian opera poll commenting that few people have heard some of these operas. Fortunately, companies around the world are continuing to add Russian operas to their repertory, as witnessed by The Met belatedly adding Shostokovich's "The Nose." Many companies don't venture far from Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin," which is too bad, as some of the most amazing music can be found in Russian opera. There is a plethora of music for low voices in this repertory and it's also an opportunity for us to show of the "Siberian Hunky" - Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Here he is in some of the less familiar repertory.

One of our favorite pieces for baritone is the underperformed aria from by the character Shaklovity in Khovanshchina:



Prince Igor's aria from the eponymously named opera:



Boris' Monologue from Boris Godunov:



Hvorostovsky is in the Ukraine right now where he is performing a series of recitals. On March 30th he will be in London to perform at a gala concert celebrating Mikhail Gorbachev's 80th birthday. Click HERE for additional information.

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The Ageless Siberian Hunky

I recently saw Dmitri Hvorostovsky sing the title role of the father in Simon Boccanegra. He may have been the most gorgeous father figure in opera that I've ever seen. As he begins to play more and more mature characters including Scarpia, Di Luna and the older Russian princes and tsars, it's amazing that he still looks so beautiful.

Here his is singing Prince Igor's aria.

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