Barihunk saves the day at Utah Opera

Michael Adams and John Allen Nelson

Barihunk John Allen Nelson saved opening night of the Utah Opera's production of Puccini's La bohème on October 7th.

On Friday night he was summoned from Boston to fly 3/4 of the way across the country from Boston to Salt Lake City to cover for fellow barihunk Michael Adams, who wasn't feeling well. Showing up at the theater with little rest, he managed to get a quick run through with conductor Robert Tweten and was looking at his music when he was summoned to the stage midway through Act 1.

Nelson sang the remainder of the opera from the pit, saving the company from having to perform the operatic classic without a full-voiced Marcello. 

Additional performance are on October 9, 11, 13 and 15. No word on whether Adams or Nelson will sing the remainder of the run. Tickets are available online.

Malte Roesner from the 2018 Barihunks calendar and photo book

Our 2018 Barihunks Calendar, which includes 20 of opera's sexiest men is now available for purchase HERE. In response to reader demand, we've also added a Barihunks Photo Book this year, which includes additional photos that don't appear in the calendar. You can purchase that HERE. The New Year is approaching faster than you think!

Michael Adams to make Utah Opera debut as Marcello

Baritone Michael Adams

American barihunk Michael Adams will be making his debut with the Utah Opera as Marcello in Puccini's La bohème, a role he debuted in 2016 at the Grand Théâtre de Genève. He was recently featured in Opera News as being among "25 Rising Stars: Opera's Exciting New Voices."

Adams was recently seen as Donald in Britten's Billy Budd at the Des Moines Metro Opera, a performance that will be broadcast on Iowa Public Television on September 29 at 8:30 PM CST.  The cast includes barihunks Craig Verm in the title role, Zachary James as the evil John Claggart and Emmett O'Hanlon as the Novice's Friend, as well as barihunk turned hunkentenor Chris Carr as Maintop.

Last month, the Washington National Opera announced that Adams would be one of the incoming members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, which began this month. Adams will be performing Melisso in Handel's Alcina in November and the Pilot in Portman's The Little Price in December with the company. He also is currently under a fest contract at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
 
Joining him in the cast of La bohème will be Samuel Schultz as Schaunard, Ao Li as Colline, Jennifer Black as Mimì, Scott Quinn as Rodolfo and Celena Shafer as Musetta. Tickets are available online and performances are on October 7, 9, 11, 13 at 7:30 PM and October 15 at 2 PM.