Opera Oz's Modern Day MeetUp: "Real" Barber and "Singing" Barber of Seville

Jose Carbo and Sean Pendry with real Barber of Seville owner Michael Romeo (Photo: Manuela Cifra)

We're all about cross promoting opera, as long it exposes new people to the art form and it maintains a reasonable degree of integrity. One of our favorite cross promotions that we've seen lately is Opera Australia joining forces with the owner of a local hair salon aptly named the "Barber of Seville." We'll let you figure out which opera the company is performing.

Michael Romeo is the owner of the salon in Richmond, Australia and the photo op with the singing barber, Jose Carbo, was great publicity for his new salon in Moonee Ponds, Australia. We also love his slogan, "Come get chopped at the Barber of Seville." If he ever opens a salon called "Sweeney Todd," he can keep his tagline.

Michael Romeo's fun banner for his operatically inspired hair salon

The Opera Australia production of Rossini's opera is moving the action forward to the Roaring 20's with some amazing costumes and fun "Keystone Kops" action scenes.  We last saw Carbo as the Barber at the Seattle Opera where he was sharing the role with fellow barihunk David Adam Moore and making his belated U.S. debut. Carbo, who is of Italian and Spanish heritage, was raised in Australia since childhood, so this performance is a return to his "hometown stage."

Jose Carbo and Maria Bayo sing "Dunque io son" from the Barber of Seville in Madrid:

The opera also features barihunk Sam Dundas, who we recently showcased in some sexy, shirtless shots when he was performing Mozart's Cosi fan tutte. He'll be singing three small roles in the Barber: Fiorello, Ambrogio and the notary. [You don't want to miss those photos!].

There are six performances from May 4-17. Visit the Opera Australia website for additional information and production photos.

Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

Jose Carbo's U.S. Debut a Success in Seattle

Jose Carbo (L) in Seattle's Barber of Seville

We got so caught up in David Adam Moore singing the Barber in Seattle that we relegated Jose Carbo's U.S. debut to an aside. This gifted singer and performer apparently is quickly becoming an audience favorite. Here is a blurb from "The Classical Review.":

Carbó swaggers around the stage as if he owns it, as a good Figaro should. He’s handsome, charismatic, and utterly assured, with a beautifully produced baritone that has a surprisingly easy top (he matches the tenor in several passages). He’s also a good ensemble member, working well with the other singers and not merely doing his own star turn.

Ticket and cast information are available at the Seattle Opera website.

You can read the entire review HERE.

Jose Carbo

 Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

Another Hot Shave: Jose Carbo sings "Al idea di quel metallo"

About two months ago I posted a video of the adorable Jose Carbo singing the Largo. Here he is at the Teatro Real with the amazing tenor Lawrence Brownlee singing "Al idea di quel metallo." In a bit of luxury barihunk casting the role of Basilio was sung by Ildebrando d'Arcangelo.

I've received a couple of emails from Carbo's colleagues who say that he is the nicest person to work with.

Things of Interest This Week: Boys in NY, Carbo's new CD, Barihunks Competing in Montreal

Jesse Blumberg (L) and Tim McDevitt (R)

Three things that we love are all back and under the same roof on June 4th: the great Steven Blier returns with his latest "Sing for your Supper" show with barihunks Jesse Blumberg and Tim McDevitt. Blier always creates interesting themes for his shows and his latest offering will center on summertime.

Blumberg and McDevitt will be joined by Alex Mansoori, Adrian Rosas and Gennard Lombardozzi in selections by Cole Porter, Frank Loesser, Jason Robert Brown, Eubie Blake, Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Kern.

The show is at Henry's at Broadway and 105th in New York City and reservations are required.

Jose Carbo's "My Latin Heart"

Jose Carbo has released his first solo recital, My Latin Heart, which includes selections by Granada, Piazzolla and other Latin favorites.

The CD is available at ABC Records. You can also preview the CD and purchase it on iTunes.

Sidney Outlaw (L), Philippe Sly (C) and John Brancy (R)

Regular readers will know that we love to follow all the vocal competitions, especially as barihunks keep sweeping away all the tenors, sopranos and mezzos. We'll be closely monitoring the Montreal International Musical Competition this Tuesday and Wednesday as three of the eight finalist are not only barihunks, but some of our favorite singers around.

Sly was named our "Best Newcomer" along with Dominik Köninger in our "Best of 2011" feature. We still play his rendition of Schubert's Der Erlkönig to anyone who will listen. Sly was the winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and left the Merola Opera program a year early to join the Canadian Opera Company. 


Brancy has won or come in second in a number of competitions and has already worked with the aforementioned Steven Blier. A recent graduate of Julliard, Brancy recently studied at the International Meistersinger Akademie with sopranos Edith Wiens and Ann Murray, as well as pianist Malcolm Martineau.


Like Sly, Sidney Outlaw is another product of the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco. While in San Francisco he gave a recital that included Schubert's rarely heard Il traditor deluso, which still has lieder aficionados buzzing. On stage he stole the show with his performance of Dr. Dulcamara  in L’elisir d’amore.


Brancy and Outlaw will be representing the United States, while Sly is representing Canada in the competition. Both performances will be broadcast at 7:30 PM on Radio Canada. Click here to listen to the broadcasts. You can listen to the preliminaries here. 

Jose Carbo

You've probably heard about singers using their chest. Well Jose Carbo gives that term new meaning. How's this for a singer with "nice chest," showing it off above in Don Giovanni?

Australian baritone José Carbó was born in Argentina of Spanish and Italian descent, and moved with his family to Australia at an early age. He was the winner of the prestigious Australian Singing Competition Opera Award in 2005.

José made his début with Australia’s principal opera company, Opera Australia, in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos , returning for their production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. For Opera Queensland, he starred in their production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in the title role [see photo]. He was a principal singer in the world première of John Haddock’s Madeline Lee at the Sydney Opera House.

His European début was in Madrid, at the Opera Real, where he sang once again the title role in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

His other barihunk role is Escamillo.

"Teddy Bare" Returns as Don Giovanni

Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Don Giovanni

New Zealand barihunk Teddy Tahu Rhodes has been singing the title role in Don Giovanni for  twelve years. He recently sat down for a video interview that was featured on the online version of the Sydney Morning Herald, which you can watch HERE. He discussed how his interpretation of the role has changed among other topics.

The print article is a good read as well. Our favorite paragraph is this:

His impressive physique hasn't gone unnoticed, either by directors, who delight in undressing Tahu Rhodes for the stage, or critics - The Dallas Morning News wrote of his performance in The End of the Affair: ''Connoisseurs of the male derriere will sit up and take notice when the curtain rises.''

Performances at the Sydney Opera House will run from September 24-November 5 and he will alternate the role with fellow barihunk Jose Carbo. Click HERE for additional cast and ticket information.

Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

Subscribe to Barihunks by Email

Tweet

David Adam Moore: Damn DAM!

Super Sexy David Adam Moore

The blogosphere continues to be the best the source of classical music and opera news in the wake of arts sections being decimated in the newspaper industry. Our latest find was this amazing interview with David Adam Moore (aka DAM) on the blog Billevesées.

Moore will be performing Schubert's Winterreise on Sunday, September 26 at 2:30 PM at the Theater of the Performing Arts Center at Houston Community College.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (713) 718-5620.

DAM will be joined by Thomas Jaber on the piano for a multi-media production of the famous song cycle. According to the website, the use of video "aims to present Schubert's Winterreise as a visually rich dramatic monologue that will guide the audience intimately along the protagonist’s journey of love and loss in wintertime."

One thing is certain, anything involving David Adam Moore always proves to be interesting (and incredibly sexy!). 

Moore will also be recording Winterreise in composer Glen Roven's English translation. That recording will be released on the GPR label. Fans of the Emmy-award winning composer Glen Roven can also hear his songs performed by barihunk Randal Turner in San Francisco on December 6th. [Check out the box to the right for concert information and tickets.]

Barihunks will be in Seattle to see DAM in his upcoming performance in the "Barber of Seville," where he will be alternating the role of Figaro with fellow barihunk Jose Carbo. 

Subscribe to Barihunks by Email

Email us at Barihunks@gmail.com

John Relyea: "Bass-baritone/opera hunk"

John Relyea: Bass-baritone/opera hunk

You have to love Nancy Guppy from the Art Zone show talking about barihunk John Relyea on the Seattle Channel. Guppy opens her segment with, "If you like opera or if you like really good looking men who can sing well..." Now that's an opening line!

Even the online teaser described John Relyea as a "bass-baritone/opera hunk."  
 

With teasers like those, we knew that this clip belonged on Barihunks, especially since the Seattle Opera remains one of our favorite opera companies. After all, they've brought us Mariusz Kwiecien, David Adam Moore, Jose Carbo and a host of amazing Seattle Opera Young Artists.

Relyea's segment begins at the 5:36 mark.

Seattle Channel Video can be played in Flash Player 9 and up

Relyea is performing Massenet's "Don Quixote" at the Seattle Opera through March 12. Visit their website for additional cast and performance information.


Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

Subscribe to Barihunks by Email

Tweet

Giorgio Caoduro Triumphs in Opera Australia Debut; Barihunks Abound in Barber

Giorgio Caoduro at Opera Australia

Italian barihunk Giorgio Caoduro, who we last saw on this site shaking his booty, has just made a triumphant Australian debut in the Barber of Seville at Opera Australia. Caoduro performs again on Monday night and then turns of the role of the Barber to fellow barihunk Jose Carbo. You can find complete cast and performance information on the Opera Australia website.

The Sydney Morning Herald wrote the following:

In the title role, Giorgio Caoduro as Figaro established himself as a suave operator, a dapper factotum whose vocal skills match the enterprise of his character in the ability to adapt to any situation with flexibility and charm.

 Caoduro will continue singing his famous "Largo al factotum" in Talouse at the Théâtre du Capitole, alternating the role with yet another barihunk, Vittorio Prato. Performances run from March 18-27.

Jud Arthur

In Talouse and in Sydney, Caoduro will have a barihunk performing the role of Don Basilio. Performing in both casts at Opera Australia is former professional rugby player turned opera singer Jud Arthur. We've been told by our sources that the hunky bass has a promising future in opera. In Toulouse the role will be performed by the stunningly handsome Giovanni Furlanetto.

Vittorio Prato & Giovanni Furlanetto

Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

Subscribe to Barihunks by Email

Tweet

Moore, Moore, Moore (How do you like it? How do you like it?) AND More, More, More of Pisaroni, Hampson & Sinatra

David Adam Moore (Photo by Alan Alabastro)

There are some barihunks who we can never get enough of and David Adam Moore, who is about to heat up Seattle in the Barber of Seville, is one of them. Here are two more pictures from the opera's recent promotional event "The Barber of Seattle" taken by the gifted photographer Alan Alabastro. You can see more of his work on his website.

Moore, who will perform only on January 16, 21, 23 and 28, is alternating the role of the Barber with Jose Carbo. For ticket and cast information visit the Seattle Opera website.

David Adam Moore (Photo by Alan Alabastro)

On another note, we're thrilled that the recent post of Pisaroni, Hampson and Sinatra went viral on Facebook and Twitter. The post quadrupled our traffic and we even learned that Luca Pisaroni is Thomas Hampson's son-in-law, a fact that we didn't know when we put up the post.

Our poll to the right shows that readers like pictures and audio/video, and the traffic counts back that up. We promise plenty more of both.

As a bonus, here are Pisaroni, Hampson and Sinatra also singing music from the Barber of Seville.







Many of our best ideas come from you, so please keep sending us tips, photos, schedules and audio/video to Barihunks@gmail.com.

Subscribe to Barihunks by Email

Jose Carbo - Largo al factotum

It's nice to see a Barber who is attractive.

David Adam Moore Sings Figaro on TV

The Many Faces of David Adam Moore

Barihunk David Adam Moore recently appeared on Seattle's KING Channel 5 to promote the Seattle Opera's production of Rossini's Barber of Seville. Moore rotated the role with Jose Carbo and both singers received rave reviews.

The Seattle Opera's next performance will be of Massenet's rarely performed opera Don Quixote with John Relyea as the title character. Performances will run from February 26 through March 12. For additional cast and performance information visit the Seattle Opera website.

Moore now heads to the Palm Beach Opera where he will sing two performances of Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte on February 25 and 27.



Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

Subscribe to Barihunks by Email

Tweet