Watch Attila with John Paul Huckle and Carlo Colombara

John Paul Huckle as Leone (far left) and backstage (right)

The Teatro Comunale di Modena is celebrating the anniversary of two major operatic baritones this season. The first is Leo Nucci, who made his company debut in 1967 in the title role of Rossini's The Barber of Seville. The second is Carlo Colombara, who is celebrating 30 years with the company.

Colombara just sang the title role in Verdi's Attila, which was live-streamed on YouTube and is still available for viewing HERE. The cast also includes John Paul Huckle as Leone, Vladimir Stoyanov as Ezio and Svetlana Kasyan as Odabella.

We've featured a number of barihunks on this site as Attila, including Ildar Abdrazakov, Erwin Schrott, John Relyea, Samuel Ramey, Homero Pėrez Miranda, Nmon Ford and Alberto Gazale.

Hampson, Pisaroni, Colombara lead all-star performance and recording of Simon Boccanegra

Thomas Hampson (left) & Luca Pisaroni (right)

Luca Pisaroni will sing Paolo Albiani and Thomas Hampson will sing the title role in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra in Vienna this weekend.  The concert performances of the opera will be recorded for future release on Decca.  If the twists and turns of this family plot aren't complicated enough on stage for you, Pisaroni is Hampson's son-in-law in real life. We're not sure if Hampson checks for poison when Pisaroni is over for dinner.

Carlo Colombara sings Fiesco's "Suona ogni labbro il mio nome" with Thomas Hampson:

The all-star cast also includes Kristine Opolais, Carlo Colombara and Joseph Calleja. The performances on April 13 and 17 with the Vienna Symphony will be conducted by Massimo Zanetti at the Vienna Konzerthaus.

Tickets are available online.