Reader Submission: Tyler Fitzgerald

Tyler Fitgerald and the Cantilon Chamber Choir

Our latest Reader Submission is Canadian barihunk Tyler Fitzgerald, who just sang the Toreador's Song with the Cantilon Chamber Choir [pictured above] and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Symphony for their Under the Sky concert in Hawrelak Park.

Originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia, he just completed his second year of Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program. In 2011, he received a bachelor’s degree in music from Wilfrid Laurier University. In 2012, Tyler was the recipient of the Gladys Whitehead Scholarship for Voice, and in 2011 was the winner of the Lois Marshall Competition.

Recent concert and operatic performances with the Calgary Opera include Marchese d’Obigny in Verdi's La Traviata, Don Inigo Gomez in Ravel’s L’Heure Espagnol, and Count Gill in Wolf-Ferrari’s Il Segreto di Susanna, Bonze/Prince Yamadori in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Tarquinius in Britten's The Rape of Lucretia, and The Father in Humperdinks' Hansel and Gretel.

He has also performed in the Celtic Mass for the Sea by Canadian composer Scott MacMillian with the Festival Chorus of Calgary and in Orff's Carmina Burana and Handel’s Messiah with The Peterborough Singers.

Other roles include Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro with Opera NUOVA, Papageno in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with Opera Laurier, Pistola in Verdi's Falstaff with Opera Nuova, Jimmy in Weill's Mahagonny Songspiel  with Saltwater Productions, Aeneas in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, King Melchoir in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Le Marquis in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites.

Calgary Opera highlights barihunk Vasil Garvanliev

 THE FOLLOWING WAS POSTED BY THE CALGARY OPERA:

Vasil Garvanliev

Ladies and gentlemen, we don’t want to alarm you, but we have some deliciously shocking news from the cast of Silent Night. You might not be aware, but there is famous BARIHUNK amongst our cast! Vasil Garvanliev is known for many notable attributes, he was a child star in his home country, Macedonia, a talented opera baritone and a hunk-tastic image that is easy on the eyes who has attracted the attention of opera fans far and wide since a risqué photo was captured with Opera Atelier in 2012.

Vasil Garvanliev

When first confronted with his Barihunk status, Vasil said he was confused and flattered. “A picture of me during my performance where I was topless all of a sudden was posted online and boom! It went everywhere, I was shocked and flattered.”

We spoke with Vasil about the reactions his fellow cast members have, and true to form, the rehearsal hall mirrors the locker room, with a lot of poking fun.

“People make fun of me, they yell 'Take your shirt off!' It’s just a joke. I’m the young guy on stage with this group of baritones, so that’s my role.”

Vasil Garvanliev

What can Barihunk fans look forward to most about Vasil’s character in Silent Night? “I’m the comic relief that is also going to break your heart in this story.” Vasil said. “This is my third time performing in Calgary. I consider this city home as I studied with Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program here. I always love coming back and performing for the Calgary audience.”

Look for Vasil as a hunky French man in uniform in the upcoming Canadian Premiere of Silent Night. Tickets are available Nov. 8, 12 & 14 by going online at www.calgaryopera.com or calling the box office at 403.262.7286
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Daniel Okulitch as Lt. Horstmayer

We should also mention that the opera features another popular barihunk, Daniel Okulitch, who portrays Lt. Horstmayer. 
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Don't forget to order your 2015 Barihunks Charity Calendar now that our link is working! Click HERE to order now.


 

Vasil Garvanliev gets a new tattoo

Vasil Garvanliev (© Shalan & Paul)

There are few singers who photograph better than Vasil Garvanliev, who we discovered while he was singing at Opera Atelier. Of course, Opera Atelier has become famous for their sexy, provocative marketing campaigns that often features models in various states of undress. Even though they use models, they seem to hire singers who could double as models in their ad campaigns. In addition to Garvanliev, we've featured Olivier Laquerre, Curtis Sullivan, Phillip Addis and João Fernandes from the company roster. 

Although most of our news is about singing, we couldn't resist telling readers about Garvanliev's new tattoo which he had placed on his arm above the LOVE tattoo that appears on the back of his wrist. The photo below shows the design, the procedure and the final tattoo. We think it's pretty HOT. 

The Macedonian barihunk is a young artist at the Glimmerglass Festival this summer, which of course is run by the "Mother of Barihunks," director Francesca Zambello. Future appearances include Caspar in Weber's Der Freischütz with Opera Atelier and Pistola in Verdi's Falstaff with Calgary Opera.

CONTACT US AT Barihunks@gmail.com

What a Dahl

Over the last decade Gregory Dahl has forged a career primarily in the principle opera houses of Canada. With the Winter Olympics having recently wrapped up, it seems appropriate to highlight yet another Canadian barihunk.

Dahl is known for singing both the standard repertory and for his dedication to new operas. One of his first roles was in "Beatrice Chancy" by George Elliott Clarke and James Rolfe. He also created the role of Charlie in Calgary Opera's production of John Estacio's and John Murrell's "Filumena," performed George in the Canadian premiere of Jake Heggie's "Dead Man Walking" at the Calgary Opera, created the role of Robert Peary in Linda C. Smith's "Facing South" for Tapestry New Opera Works and he created The Alchemist in Murray Schafer's "The Palace of the Cinnabar Phoenix," which was broadcast on Canada's CBC Radio Two.



Despite all of his Canadian credentials, his entry onto Barihunks comes via the St. Louis Opera where we got this stunning photo of him performing Jokanaan in Richard Strauss' "Salome." We can certainly understand why Salome sang, "Ah! Ich habe deinen Mund geküsst, Jokanaan." (Ah! I've kissed your mouth Jokanaan!).

As an added treat, here is Dahl singing Scarpia's "Te Deum" from Puccini's Toscs:


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Daniel Okulitch Heads Home

After a highly-acclaimed performance in New York City Opera's "Don Giovanni," Daniel Okulitch returns to his native Canada to perform Friedrich in Mark Adamo's "Little Women." The production at the Calgary Opera opens on January 30th. The only downside is that he will be wearing a lot more clothing than in Don Giovanni. However, as this new photo will attest, he's still pretty damn sexy, even dressed for the Canadian tundra.

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