Michael Todd Simpson in Carmen & Messiah; Pop's Sexy Carmina Burana; Varnier in Rimini

Anita Rachvelishvili as Carmen & Michael Todd Simpson as Escamillo in rehearsal; (Bill Mohn, photo)

Michael Todd Simpson brought his swaggering Escamillo to Seattle Opera for their performances of Bizet's "Carmen." In a performance that included the riveting Carmen of Anita Rachvelishvili and a host of other hot men, the American barihunk managed to catch the attention of reviewer Jackson Holtz at the Everett Herald.

"Seattle Opera veteran Michael Todd Simpson was sexy and charming as the matador." 

You can read the entire review at the Everett HeraldNet website.

Bernard Jacobson of the Seattle Times wrote:

"Don José...projected just the nebbish air of indecision that makes José putty in Carmen's hands — no competition for the sexy Escamillo and Zuniga of Michael Todd Simpson and Donovan Singletary."

Donovan Singletary in his Barihunks tee shirt

Performances run through October 29th and tickets can be purchased online. Simpson next heads down the coast to California, where he will perform Handel's "Messiah" with the amazing San Francisco Symphony. Performances are on December 16, 17 & 18. Visit the San Francisco Symphony website for tickets and additional performance information.

By the way, if you haven't seen the Seattle Opera's "If Carmen and her friends were on Facebook...," then you missed one of the funniest and creative things that we've ever seen from an Opera Company (that was meant to be funny!). You can see the entire post on their wonderful blog. 

Kudos to the Seattle Opera, which continues to be one of the most creative opera companies in the world.

Cirque du Soleil performers and Marian Pop combine forces in Detroit

The Michigan Opera Theater hired some Cirque du Soleil acrobats to add an erotic touch to Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana." The piece was part of a double-bill with Menotti's "The Medium." Barihunk Marian Pop, a regular fixture with the opera company, was singled out for his performance by the local press.

"Baritone soloist Marian Pop's expressive singing was the musical highlight of "Carmina."

You can read the entire review at the Detroit Free Press website.

Jérôme Varnier

Jérôme Varnier is wrapping up a run as Palémon in Massenet's "Thaïs" tonight at the Opéra de Tours. He now heads to the Opéra-Théâtre de Metz to perform Guido in Ambroise Thomas' "Francesca da Rimini," which opens on November 18. Tickets and additional performance information are available online.

Michael Todd Simpson to open Washington Opera season

Michael Todd Simpson in WNO's Carmen (Photo Credit: Scott Suchman)

 The Washington National Opera will open its 2015-2016 season on September 19th with a new staging Bizet's Carmen featuring barihunk Michael Todd Simpson as Escamillo.
Simpson is returning to the company after successful performances as Alvaro in Florencia in the Amazon and Gaylord Ravenal in Show Boat. Simpson has sung Escamillo at The Met, Seattle Opera and the Glimmerglass Festival.

He'll be joined by thrilling heroic tenor Bryan Hymel as Don José. Clémentine Margaine as Carmen and Janai Brugger as Micaela. They will alternate with a cast that includes Aleksey Bogdanov as Escamillo, Rafael Davila as Don José, Géraldine Chauvet as Carmen and Jacqueline Echols as Micaela. Also in the cast is fellow barihunk Kenneth Kellogg who will sing Zuniga.

After his run as Escamillo, Simpson returns to his current home of Seattle to sing Cecil in Donizetti's Maria Stuarda. He then heads off to Dallas to sing Gaylord Ravenal in Show Boat with the Dallas Opera. 

Ft. Worth's Delectable Duo Garners Raves

[Michael Todd Simpson & Tom Corbeil, Photo; Ft. Worth Opera]


There has been a buzz about Ft. Worth Opera's Don Giovanni ever since the cast was announced. Admittedly, much of it had to do with the amazing soprano Susanna Phillips tackling the role of Donna Anna. But when opera fanatics learned that barihunk Michael Todd Simpson was being paired with the Leporello of Tom Corbeil, this literally became the hottest opera ticket around.

From all accounts, the performances and eye candy have lived up to the advance hype.

The Ft. Worth Express wrote:

Baritone Michael Todd Simpson...has probably exceeded expectations and is already a memorable Don Giovanni. His voice is strong and flexible, and his portrayal had the subtle nuances normally associated with a veteran performer.

Leporello –– handsomely sung by baritone Tom Corbeil –– was a contemporary here rather than an old retainer. The dynamic pointed up the class frictions touched on in the libretto and helped make Leporello’s impersonation of the lady-killing Don Giovanni more believable.

The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram wrote:

Michael Todd Simpson was a superb Giovanni, dashing with a sinister edge. As his servant Leporello, Tom Corbeil sang the famous "Catalogue Aria" with a fine, burly bass, woodwinds chattering like mocking laughter in the background.

[Michael Todd Simpson, Holli Harrison and Tom Corbeil. Photo by Ellen Appel]


Perhaps our favorite review came from D Magazine:

The pairing of Michael Todd Simpson in the title role with Thomas Corbeil as his faithful, ever-complaining manservant Leporella was a masterstroke on several levels. Both lean and tall, with long brunette hair, they created a visual pairing that continually emphasized their embodiment of opposite aspects of humanity. While in any decent production of Don Giovanni the tension of master and servant between these two is one of the central aspects, the physical similarities between these two singing actors emphasized Mozart and Da Ponte’s subtle dig at the rotting class structure that pervaded Europe . The ability of both to move with impressive agility across the stage added to their effectiveness as a team, and the powerful beauty of both of their voices further enhanced the magic of their performance. Along with the bounding energy the two brought to their roles, director Richard Kagey introduced numerous small but significant elements—Giovanni casually wiping the blood off of a dagger on his shirt, for instance, or Leporello’s rebuffed attempt to join Giovanni at the table for a meal—that constantly reminded the audience that Giovanni, sexy aristocrat though he may be, is still a compulsive thug of the worst sort.

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Michael Todd Simpson

Here's a guy who can make Silvio in Pagliacci and, more remarkably, Gugliemo in Cosi fan Tutte look sexy. That alone would get him onto Barihunks, but he's obviously pretty hot in his own right. I would like to see Michael Todd Simpson as Stanley in a Streetcar Named Desire revival or in Iphiigenie in Tauride.

This steamy barihunk is currently singing Escamillo in Australia and I have no doubt that Don Jose will come out on the short end again.

This season he made debuts at the Florida Grand Opera as Guglielmo in Cosí fan tutte, the New York City Opera as Silvio in Pagliacci and the Fort Worth Opera as Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor. He recently performed Silvio for his debuts at the Pittsburgh Opera, the Dallas Opera, and the Palm Beach Opera, and for his return to the Virginia Opera.

A graduate of the Seattle Opera's Young Artists Program, Mr. Simpson made his mainstage debut there as Hermann in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, and has since appeared as Marcello in La Bohéme. Also a member of the Young American Artists Program at Glimmerglas Opera, he recently appeared there as The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance. While in the program, he sang the role of Tooley in the American premiere of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett's The Mines of Sulphur, which was recorded and released by Chandos Records in 2005.

A native of Gastonia, NC, Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal performance from Erskine College in Due West, SC, where he was the first place winner of the 1996 and 1999 South Carolina National Association of Teachers of Singing vocal competition. He earned his Masters of Music degree at the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati where he was a regional winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Simpson's recent awards include the Spanish Prize in the 2007 José Iturbi International Music Competition, first prize in the first annual Marguerite McCammon Voice Competition, the Sara Tucker Study Grant awarded by the Richard Tucker Foundation and the Richard F. Gold Career Grant.

Michael Todd Simpson replaces Eric Owens in ‘L’Amour de Loin’ at Met

Michael Todd Simpson

Barihunk Michael Todd Simpson stepped in as Jaufré Rudel for Eric Owens on Christmas Eve in Kaija Saariaho’s critically acclaimed L’Amour de Loin at The Met. Eric Owens returns to sing the final performance on December 29.

This season, Simpson has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in Rossini’s Guillaume Tell and returns as Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen on February 15 opposite Clémentine Margaine. The other Escamillo is barihunk Kyle Ketelsen.

Simpson made his Met Opera debut in 2009 in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann in a cast that included Joseph Calleja, Kate Lindsey and Anna Netrebko. He followed those performances with appearances as Lescaut in Massenet’s Manon and Demetrius in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

From April 7-9, he'll perform the Pirate King in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance in a cast that includes Stephanie Blythe as Ruth, Andrew Stenson as Frederic and barihunk Tobias Greenhalgh as Samuel.

ALERT: FINAL DAYS TO ORDER YOUR 2017 BARIHUNKS IN BED CALENDAR BEFORE NEW YEAR'S DAY!!! 

 

Seattle Opera's "Four Barihunks" Model Tee Shirts

Sarah Larsen with  Michael Todd Simpson, Steven LaBrie, Joseph Lattanzi, and Colin Ramsey (Photo by Elise Bakketun)

 

We recently posted about the barihunk foursome performing in Menotti's The Consul at the Seattle Opera. The opera stars Michael Todd Simpson as John Sorel, Steven LaBrie as the Police Agent, Joseph Lattanzi as Assan and Colin Ramsey as Mr. Kofner. The four singers agreed to don their Barihunk tee shirts and take some shots on the set with soprano Sarah Larsen, who plays the secretary.

Sarah Larsen with  Michael Todd Simpson, Steven LaBrie, Joseph Lattanzi, and Colin Ramsey (Photo by Elise Bakketun)

The Consul was a huge hit during its initial Broadway run, earning both the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical and the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Music. The original production featured the legendary performances of Patricia Neway as Magda Sorel and Marie Powers as the mother. The great Verdi baritone Cornell MacNeil sang the role of John Sorel.

The story is about a devoted wife and mother who clashes with the bureaucracy of a nameless police state while trying to obtain an exit visa for her family.

Sarah Larsen with  Michael Todd Simpson, Steven LaBrie, Joseph Lattanzi, and Colin Ramsey (Photo by Elise Bakketun)

The opera runs from February 22nd to March 7 and tickets are available online.

Barihunk Promotes Dallas Opera

[Photos from top to bottom: Michael Todd Simpson in Figaro promotion, Simpson head shot, Daniel Okulitch, and two pictures of Paolo Pecchioli]

To hell with "Remember the Alamo." The new battle cry in Texas is "Remember to get your tickets to the Dallas Opera!"

The Dallas Opera (http://www.dallasopera.org/) is promoting their new season by using barihunk regular Michael Todd Simpson in a flaming pink banner with flaming pink flip flops. If that doesn't grab your attention then you're as blind as Archibaldo in Montemezzi's "L'amore dei tre Re." As if having the sultry Simpson stalk the stage weren't enough, they've added barihunk Daniel Okulitch to the cast. Normally, Figaro isn't as barihunky as Don Giovanni, but the open shirt on the ad may portend some skin in this production.

If Mozart isn't your cup of tea, Rossini specialist Paolo Pecchioli will be singing in L'Italiani in Algeri opposite hunkentenor William Burden. As a footnote to all of you hunkentenor lovers, Stephen Costello will be singing in their production of Roberto Devereux.

So, if you want beefcake this season, head to the heart of Texas.

Barihunks to alternate Show Boat role at Kennedy Center

Rod Gilfry (L) and Michael Todd Simpson (R)

If you like your singers tall - say about 6' 5" - you might want to head to the Nation's capital where barihunks Rod Gilfry and Michael Todd Simpson are going to alternate the role of Gaylord Ravenal at the Kennedy Center. Performances begin on May 4 for a three week run. Featured in the smaller role of Joe, is Soloman Howard, who has also been featured on this site. He'll be alternating the role with Morris Robinson. The Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein classic will be directed by Francesca Zambello.

The cast also includes Andriana Chuchman and Jennifer Holloway sharing the role of Magnolia, Alyson Cambridge and Talise Trevigne as Julie, and Angela Renée Simpson and Gwendolyn Brown as Queenie.

Tickets are available online or by calling the Kennedy Center Box Office at (800) 444-1324.

Soloman Howard

In addition to his illustrious opera career, Gilfry has made a major mark singing musicals. He has sung the title role in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, appeared as Captain von Trapp in the Théâtre du Châtelet production of The Sound of Music, Lancelot in Camelot at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, and Emile de Becque in the U.S. National Tour of the Lincoln Center Production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, a production that garnered 7 Tony Awards in 2008. In November, he be performing in Mark Anthony Turnage Anna Nicole at the New York City Opera.

Musicals are also not new to Michael Todd Simpson, who made his London debut at the Barbican performancing in Carousel with Opera North. He can next be seen performing Vaughan William’s A Sea Symphony with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra on April 13 and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on May 23, 24 and 25.

Michael Todd Simpson: Sexiest Escamillo; No Contest

We were about to launch a "Sexiest Escamillo" competition when this photo arrived in the inbox. I'm not sure that there'd be much competition with the smoking hot Michael Todd Simpson in this still from Chicago Opera Theater's Tragedie de Carmen. He's pictured with the Carmen of Sandra Piques Eddy.

This performance will run on May 2, 5, 10, 13, 15, 2009 and you can get more information at: http://www.chicagooperatheater.org.

Simpson has been a regular feature on this site for some time, but he just seems to get hotter and hotter each season: http://barihunks.blogspot.com/search?q=michael+todd+simpson.

This site can be contacted at barihunks@gmail.com

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Barihunk Switch at Glimmerglass

Michael Todd Simpson as Escamillo

Michael Todd Simpson has been asked to step in for fellow barihunk Keith Miller as Escamillo in the current run of Bizet's "Carmen" at Glimmerglass. Simpson recently sang the role at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China. 

Simpson takes over on July 15 for Miller who decided to withdraw from the production. Performances run through August 23 in the Alice Busch Opera Theater in Cooperstown, New York. Visit www.glimmerglass.org for tickets and information. 

We recently blogged about another barihunk in the production, the Morales of barihunk Wes Mason.

Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

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Michael Todd Simpson's TV Interview

Michael Todd Simpson

Barihunk Michael Todd Simpson was featured on Dallas television station KXTD to promote his holiday concert with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Unfortunately, the performances are over, but enjoy the interview.

You can next see Michael Todd Simpson live at the Seattle Opera in Puccini's La boheme with fellow barihunk Andrew Garland. Performances are on February 23 and 27, and March 2, 6 and 9. Visit the Seattle Opera website for additional information and tickets.

DON'T FORGET TO BUY YOUR 2013 BARIHUNKS CHARITY CALENDAR BY CLICKING BELOW. ONLY 7 DAYS LEFT!

Todd SImpson's Messiah

Michael Todd Simpson

The National Arts Centre Orchestra will perform Handel’s Messiah on Tuesday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 15 with barihunk Michael Todd Simpson. The concerts are at 7 p.m. in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre.

Simpson will be joined by soprano Ann Monoyios, mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Turnbull and tenor James Charles Taylor. Visit the National Arts Centre website for additional information and tickets.


Please send your Messiah listings to Barihunks@gmail.com

Pittsburgh's KDKA Features Don Giovanni Barihunks (and the Barihunks Calendar)

Two screen shots of KDKA's "Don Giovanni" feature

Pittsburgh Opera is opening their new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni on Saturday, November 3rd with a stellar young cast led by barihunk Michael Todd Simpson in the title role.

Pittsburgh's CBS affiliate KDKA Channel 2 ran a seven minute feature with Simpson and his sidekick Leporello, Wayne Tigges. In the middle of the feature, the conversation turned to the growing need for singers to look the part. The hosts then popped up an image of the 2013 Barihunks calendar as the female host ooh-ed and ahh-ed as shirtless and muscular pictures of Michael Todd Simpson flashed across the screen.

Don Giovanni will have four performances on November 3, 6, 9 and 11. The cast also includes tenor hunk Sean Panikkar as Don Ottavio, Joseph Barron as Masetto, Caitlyn Lynch as Donna Anna, Jennifer Holloway as Donna Elvira, Sari Gruber as Zerlina and Hao Jiang Tang as the Commendatore. Additional information is available at the Pittsburgh Opera website.

Barihunks will be traveling to the Seattle Opera in February 2013 to see Michael Todd Simpson in Puccini's La boheme, where he'll be joined by fellow barihunk Andrew Garland. Wayne Tigges can next be seen as the Superintendent Budd in Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring at the Théâtre du Capitole Toulouse in January 2013.

Barihunk foursome in Seattle Opera's The Consul

Michael Todd Simpson & Colin Ramsey

Joseph Lattanzi & Steven LaBrie

Michael Todd Simpson will be joining three of the hottest barihunks on the scene in Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul at the Seattle Opera, which runs from February 22nd to March 7. Michael Todd Simpson takes on the major role of John Sorel, Steven LaBrie makes his company debut as the Police Agent, Joseph Lattanzi performs Assan and Colin Ramsey also makes his company debut as Mr. Kofner. We can't remember many instances when there's been this much pulchritude on the stage at one time.

Michael Todd Simpson is also the featured singer on the Seattle Opera blog where you can read an extensive interview with the Seattle based performer. 

Colin Ramsey will reprise the role of Mr. Kofner in a different production of The Consul with Opera Santa Barbara on March 25 and 27.  That production will feature barihunk Joshua Jeremiah as John Sorel.

Barihunks Calendar Model Profile: Iosu Yeregui

Barihunks calendar model Iosu Yeregui

We never formally introduced Spanish bass-barihunk Iosu Yeregui before he was featured in our calendar. He is featured in the calendar in September along with Aussie Duncan Rock.

Yeregui was born in San Sebastian, where he studied contemporary dance, flute and humanities for business. He began his vocal studies at the Koninklijk Konservatorium in The Hague, completing them at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, with Evelyn Tubb and Andreas Scholl and specializing in Historical Interpretation.

As a soloist in concerts and chamber works, he has sung in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, Kursaal, the Auditorium of Zaragoza, Auditorum of Cuenca, Auditorium of León, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real, Basel Theatre, Freunde für Alte Musik, Ópera Vichy, Reims, Ambronay, Circolo Lirico di Bologna, Wallonie Festival, Bozar Bruxelles, Berliner Philarmoniker and others.  He was also invited to take part in the 67th “Quincena Musical” in San Sebastian, with a recital built around Mozart.

Duncan Rock (left) and Iosu Yeregui in the 2016 Barihunks Calendar

His repertoire includes Mozart's Requiem, Missa Brevis and Coronation Mass, Fauré's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat, St.Matthew Passion and various cantatas, Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, Haydn’s Die Schöpfung and Handel's Jephta and Messiah.

On stage, he's performed Sarastro in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Masetto in Mozart's Don Giovanni, Colas in Mozart's Bastien und Bastienne, Caronte and Plutone in Monteverdi's Orfeo, Somnus in Handel's Semele, Il Re in Handel's Ariodante, Zoroastro in Handel's Orlando, Ferrando in Verdi's Il Trovatore,  Dottore Grenvil and Marchese d'Obigny in Verdi's La Traviata, Simpson in Sorozábal's La Taberna del Puerto and, most recently, Lodovico in Verdi's Otello with Opera de la ABAO in Bilbao, Spain.

The 2016 Barihunks Charity Calendar is now on sale and available online. For the past four years, the calendar has raised money for young artist programs and young artist projects. Proceeds from this year's calendar will fund the creation of the Foundation for the Advancement of Baritones (FAB), which will fund baritone and bass cash prizes at song competitions, commission music for baritones and basses, and be used to fund other projects featuring low male voices.

ORDER YOUR CALENDAR TODAY BY CLICKING BELOW

Born in San Sebastian, where he studied Contemporary Dance, Flute and Humanities for Business, he began his vocal studies at the Koninklijk Konservatorium in The Hague, completing them at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, with Evelyn Tubb and Andreas Scholl and specializing in Historical Interpretation. He continued his vocal formation under the direction of Ana Luisa Chova.

During this time, he has also attended singing classes with Paride Venturi, Carlos Chausson, Carlos Mena, Jessica Cash, Marta Almajano, Richard Levitt, Sonia Prina, Víctor Torres and Buonaldo Giaiotti.

As a soloist in concerts and chamber works, he has sung in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, Kursaal, the Auditorium of Zaragoza, Auditorum of Cuenca, Auditorium of León, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real, Basel Theatre, Freunde für Alte Musik, Ópera Vichy, Reims, Ambronay, Circolo Lirico di Bologna, Wallonie Festival, Bozar Bruxelles, Berliner Philarmoniker and others.  He was also invited to take part in the 67th “Quincena Musical” in San Sebastian, with a recital built around Mozart.

He has worked with conductors such as Joshua Rifkin, Ton Koopman, Anthony Rooley, Leonardo García Alarcón, Juan Luis Martínez, José Antonio Montaño, Bruce Dickie and Charles Toet, and with many ensembles such as Capilla Mediterranea, Los Musicos de su Alteza, Capilla Peñaflorida, Ensemble der Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and A Sei Voci.

His repertoire includes Mozart's Requiem, Missa Brevis and Coronation Mass, Fauré's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat, St.Matthew Passion and various cantatas, Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, Haydn’s Die Schöpfung and Handel's Jephta and Messiah.

Roles in staged works include: Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Masetto (Don Giovanni), Colas (Bastien und Bastienne) Caronte and Plutone (Orfeo), Somnus (Semele), Il Re (Ariodante), Zoroastro (Orlando), Ferrando (Il Trovatore),  Dottore Grenvil and Marchese d'Obigny (La Traviata) and Simpson (La Taberna del Puerto). - See more at: http://www.adlibitumartis.com/en/artistas/iosu-yeregui#sthash.JAzlyEuf.dpuf

Born in San Sebastian, where he studied Contemporary Dance, Flute and Humanities for Business, he began his vocal studies at the Koninklijk Konservatorium in The Hague, completing them at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, with Evelyn Tubb and Andreas Scholl and specializing in Historical Interpretation. He continued his vocal formation under the direction of Ana Luisa Chova.

During this time, he has also attended singing classes with Paride Venturi, Carlos Chausson, Carlos Mena, Jessica Cash, Marta Almajano, Richard Levitt, Sonia Prina, Víctor Torres and Buonaldo Giaiotti.

As a soloist in concerts and chamber works, he has sung in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, Kursaal, the Auditorium of Zaragoza, Auditorum of Cuenca, Auditorium of León, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real, Basel Theatre, Freunde für Alte Musik, Ópera Vichy, Reims, Ambronay, Circolo Lirico di Bologna, Wallonie Festival, Bozar Bruxelles, Berliner Philarmoniker and others.  He was also invited to take part in the 67th “Quincena Musical” in San Sebastian, with a recital built around Mozart.

He has worked with conductors such as Joshua Rifkin, Ton Koopman, Anthony Rooley, Leonardo García Alarcón, Juan Luis Martínez, José Antonio Montaño, Bruce Dickie and Charles Toet, and with many ensembles such as Capilla Mediterranea, Los Musicos de su Alteza, Capilla Peñaflorida, Ensemble der Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and A Sei Voci.

His repertoire includes Mozart's Requiem, Missa Brevis and Coronation Mass, Fauré's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat, St.Matthew Passion and various cantatas, Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, Haydn’s Die Schöpfung and Handel's Jephta and Messiah.

Roles in staged works include: Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Masetto (Don Giovanni), Colas (Bastien und Bastienne) Caronte and Plutone (Orfeo), Somnus (Semele), Il Re (Ariodante), Zoroastro (Orlando), Ferrando (Il Trovatore),  Dottore Grenvil and Marchese d'Obigny (La Traviata) and Simpson (La Taberna del Puerto). - See more at: http://www.adlibitumartis.com/en/artistas/iosu-yeregui#sthash.JAzlyEuf.dpuf

Born in San Sebastian, where he studied Contemporary Dance, Flute and Humanities for Business, he began his vocal studies at the Koninklijk Konservatorium in The Hague, completing them at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, with Evelyn Tubb and Andreas Scholl and specializing in Historical Interpretation. He continued his vocal formation under the direction of Ana Luisa Chova.

During this time, he has also attended singing classes with Paride Venturi, Carlos Chausson, Carlos Mena, Jessica Cash, Marta Almajano, Richard Levitt, Sonia Prina, Víctor Torres and Buonaldo Giaiotti.

As a soloist in concerts and chamber works, he has sung in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, Kursaal, the Auditorium of Zaragoza, Auditorum of Cuenca, Auditorium of León, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real, Basel Theatre, Freunde für Alte Musik, Ópera Vichy, Reims, Ambronay, Circolo Lirico di Bologna, Wallonie Festival, Bozar Bruxelles, Berliner Philarmoniker and others.  He was also invited to take part in the 67th “Quincena Musical” in San Sebastian, with a recital built around Mozart.

He has worked with conductors such as Joshua Rifkin, Ton Koopman, Anthony Rooley, Leonardo García Alarcón, Juan Luis Martínez, José Antonio Montaño, Bruce Dickie and Charles Toet, and with many ensembles such as Capilla Mediterranea, Los Musicos de su Alteza, Capilla Peñaflorida, Ensemble der Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and A Sei Voci.

His repertoire includes Mozart's Requiem, Missa Brevis and Coronation Mass, Fauré's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat, St.Matthew Passion and various cantatas, Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, Haydn’s Die Schöpfung and Handel's Jephta and Messiah.

Roles in staged works include: Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Masetto (Don Giovanni), Colas (Bastien und Bastienne) Caronte and Plutone (Orfeo), Somnus (Semele), Il Re (Ariodante), Zoroastro (Orlando), Ferrando (Il Trovatore),  Dottore Grenvil and Marchese d'Obigny (La Traviata) and Simpson (La Taberna del Puerto). - See more at: http://www.adlibitumartis.com/en/artistas/iosu-yeregui#sthash.JAzlyEuf.dpuf

Born in San Sebastian, where he studied Contemporary Dance, Flute and Humanities for Business, he began his vocal studies at the Koninklijk Konservatorium in The Hague, completing them at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, with Evelyn Tubb and Andreas Scholl and specializing in Historical Interpretation. He continued his vocal formation under the direction of Ana Luisa Chova.

During this time, he has also attended singing classes with Paride Venturi, Carlos Chausson, Carlos Mena, Jessica Cash, Marta Almajano, Richard Levitt, Sonia Prina, Víctor Torres and Buonaldo Giaiotti.

As a soloist in concerts and chamber works, he has sung in the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, Kursaal, the Auditorium of Zaragoza, Auditorum of Cuenca, Auditorium of León, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real, Basel Theatre, Freunde für Alte Musik, Ópera Vichy, Reims, Ambronay, Circolo Lirico di Bologna, Wallonie Festival, Bozar Bruxelles, Berliner Philarmoniker and others.  He was also invited to take part in the 67th “Quincena Musical” in San Sebastian, with a recital built around Mozart.

He has worked with conductors such as Joshua Rifkin, Ton Koopman, Anthony Rooley, Leonardo García Alarcón, Juan Luis Martínez, José Antonio Montaño, Bruce Dickie and Charles Toet, and with many ensembles such as Capilla Mediterranea, Los Musicos de su Alteza, Capilla Peñaflorida, Ensemble der Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and A Sei Voci.

His repertoire includes Mozart's Requiem, Missa Brevis and Coronation Mass, Fauré's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat, St.Matthew Passion and various cantatas, Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, Haydn’s Die Schöpfung and Handel's Jephta and Messiah.

Roles in staged works include: Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Masetto (Don Giovanni), Colas (Bastien und Bastienne) Caronte and Plutone (Orfeo), Somnus (Semele), Il Re (Ariodante), Zoroastro (Orlando), Ferrando (Il Trovatore),  Dottore Grenvil and Marchese d'Obigny (La Traviata) and Simpson (La Taberna del Puerto). - See more at: http://www.adlibitumartis.com/en/artistas/iosu-yeregui#sthash.JAzlyEuf.dpuf

Three barihunks advance at Mid Atlantic Met Auditions

Ethan Simpson, Andrew Bogard and Brent Michael Smith

Bass-baritone Andrew Bogard, baritone Ethan Simpson and bass Brent Michael Smith all advanced to the next round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Also advancing at the Middle Atlantic Region auditions in Philhadelphia were mezzo-soprano Gillian Cotter, tenor Matthew White, tenor Joshua Blue and soprano Meryl Dominguez.

A number of barihunks have recently advanced from the Middle Atlantic Region, including bass Patrick Guetti, bass-baritone Brandon Cedel, baritone Sean Michael Plumb and baritone Elliot Madore.

The National Semi-Finals concert will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 and the Grand Finals Concert will take place on Sunday, April 29, 2018 in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera House. Bertrand de Billy will conduct this year's concert.

Ethan Simpson will be making his movie debut as Cesar in an upcoming film based on Anne Patchett’s New York Times best selling Bel Canto starring Julianne Moore and Ken Watanabe.

In January 2018, Andrew Bogard will star as Papageno in Mozart's The Magic Flute at CoOPERAtive in Princeton, New Jersey.

In January 2018, Brent Michael Smith will sing Fafner in Wagner's Das Rheingold at the Academy of Vocal Arts. 

ONLY 22 DAYS LEFT TO ORDER 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 Todd Simpson's Smoking Hot Don Giovanni

If emails are any indication, I'd say that more people are attending the Eugene Opera than The Met. It seems like Michael Todd Simpson's two performances of Don Giovanni in Oregon stirred up quite a bit of excitement.

Simpson has been featured on this site before and he's clearly built up a fan base that is closely watching his rapid ascent. He now moves on to sing Escamillo in Carmen with the Chicago Opera Theater and on tour with Opera Australia.

You can follow his career at http://www.michaeltoddsimpson.com.

This site can be contacted at barihunks@gmail.com

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Barihunk duo in AVA's French recital program

Ethan Simpson (left) and Brent Michael Smith (right)

The final recital in the Academy of Vocal Arts Recital Series will include barihunks Ethan Simpson and Brent Michael Smith in a program of French repertoire.  They'll be joined by Gabriela Flores, Hannah Ludwig, Matthew White and Timothy Renner, with AVA vocal coach Audrey Saint-Gil accompanying them on piano.

Ethan Simpson will be singing Nadia Boulanger's "J'ai frappe" and "Chanson," as well as Henri Duparc's Testament.

Brent Michael Smith will be performing Stravinsky's "Un sommeil noir" and the Act 1 bass aria from Paul Dukas' Ariane et Le Barbe Bleu.

Performances are on April 3 and April 5 and tickets are available online. 

Michael Todd Simpson Showing Some Skin

[Photo by Brian Dickie]

We've already promoted the Chicago Opera Theater's production of La Tragédie de Carmen which runs through May 15, but here is one more picture from the production and a party from the opening night party. It looks like sexy Michael Todd Simpson likes to show as much skin off stage as on stage and we're not complaining! Clearly, COT is part of the "look as good you sound" movement in opera, as you can see from Simpson's co-stars tenor Noah Stewart and mezzo Sandra Eddy.

For more information visit: http://www.chicagooperatheater.org/tix/season/carmen.html#.

This site can be contacted at barihunks@gmail.com

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Bantering Barihunks on Texapolitan Opera Podcast

Two Wild & Crazy Guys: Michael Mayes and Michael Todd Simpson

Two of the funniest and sexiest guys in all of opera have come together for the second podcast of the Texapolitan Opera. The podcast is the creation of Michael Mayes, who has been featured on this site with his hysterical videos. His guest Michael Todd Simpson has also been regularly featured on this site, including a popular post of him in his scivvies at the Eugene Opera.

You can hear the two talk about massage and "lady boys" in Bangkok, the taste of coconut water (funnier than it sounds), riding horses on stage and at the rodeo, Simon Keenlyside asking about speaking "Texan," MILF (look it up!) and, most importantly, going the "Full Okultich" on stage. The last bit included a discussion of caring for your willie on stage, balls, opera goers with binoculars. having a small butt, needing a fluffer and other barroom banter that you won't hear on most other opera podcasts.

Make sure to listen to the Texapolitan Opera podcast, which you can find on their website or on iTunes.

Simpson and Mayes were also wondering how Barihunks manages to get pictures in our possession so quickly for posting. The answer is that most of our pictures come from wives and boyfriends, opera staffers, fellow singers. fans and the singers themselves. Thanks to the iPhone, we often get pictures the night of a performance.

If you have pictures or barihunk tips, you can contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com