TRIFECTA: André Courville wins his third major vocal competition

Chloe Moore, André Courville and Marie Natale

Bass-barihunk André Courville, won his third First Prize when he took home top honors at the 28th Annual Violetta DuPont Vocal Competition. He previously won the 2015 Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition and the 2014 Giargiari Bel Canto Competition. The competition was held at Lenfell Hall in the Mansion at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Courville took home $5,000 as the winner of competition. The $3,000 Second Prize went to soprano Marie Natale and the $1,500 Third Prize to soprano Chloe Moore. The winners were winnowed down from 114 candidates, which resulted in 18 finalists.

Each finalist performed an aria of his or her choice to be judged by a panel of renowned opera figures and jurists based on voice quality, technique, intonation, diction, interpretation, and stage presence. The judges included Gerda Lissner Foundation President Stephen DeMaio, Maestra Eva Quelar, Artist Manager Robert Lombardo, retired soprano Barbara Ann Testa, and arts patron James Thurmond Smithgall.

Last year's winner, tenor Alasdair Kent, performed "Fantaisie aux divins mensonges" from Leo Delibes' Lakme as the judges deliberated.
Courville can next be heard on May 6th as the bass soloist in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis with The Cecilia Chorus of New York at Carnegie Hall. The West Coast can hear him on May 22 in concert with the Opera Associates of Los Angeles at the 36th Church of Christ, Scientist in Studio City, California.

Barihunk Steven LaBrie chosen as M∙A∙C Cosmetics model

Steven Labrie in gold and black evening jacket

Barihunk Steven LaBrie probably never guessed that he'd have something in common with drag icon RuPaul, but they are now both models for M∙A∙C Cosmetics. 

Last month, the New York City-based company posted a notice that they were looking for a "classically trained male opera singer that has a young, hip, edgy appearance...Theatrical flair encouraged. Acting ability a plus." We were all but certain that a barihunk would be selected and even offered a few suggestions. We heard from at least a dozen barihunks who applied and eagerly awaited word back to hear if they landed their biggest non-operatic role.

Steven Labrie sans makeup

We're trying to get more information about how M∙A∙C will be using LaBrie and we will update the information as it becomes available. It appears that he'll be part of their “Indulge” roll-out, which is being launched across the country. According to their website,  "Indulge is a beautiful, 1920’s-esque collection, so expect to see darker, bow lips and gorgeous, smoky kohls. This look is not for the faint-hearted. You may be stepping outside of your comfort zone but you will be in the hands of professional artists."

Peggy Lloyd

If you're not into attending a cosmetic campaign launch, LaBrie can next be seen on September 10th with the Ocean City Pops as they celebrate Peggy Lloyd's 100th birthday.  Peggy Lloyd served on the Board of the Ocean City Arts Center for many years where she arranged frequent fund raising bus trips to major art exhibits. She is a financial supporter of the Arts Center and Ocean City Pops Orchestra, but is best known as the woman who escorted Miss America for twelve years.

LaBrie will be joined by the young violin prodigy Joseph Hsai and soprano Chloe Moore. Tickets are $10 and $15 and are available online.

financial supporter of the Arts Center and Ocean City Pops Orchestra. - See more at: http://www.oceancityvacation.com/blog/peggy-lloyd-named-grand-marshal-of-citys-baby-parade/#sthash.TcUIkfgj.dpuf

financial supporter of the Arts Center and Ocean City Pops Orchestra. - See more at: http://www.oceancityvacation.com/blog/peggy-lloyd-named-grand-marshal-of-citys-baby-parade/#sthash.TcUIkfgj.dpuf

served on the Board of the Ocean City Arts Center for many years where she arranges frequent fund raising bus trips to major art exhibits. - See more at: http://www.oceancityvacation.com/blog/peggy-lloyd-named-grand-marshal-of-citys-baby-parade/#sthash.TcUIkfgj.dpuf

served on the Board of the Ocean City Arts Center for many years where she arranges frequent fund raising bus trips to major art exhibits. - See more at: http://www.oceancityvacation.com/blog/peggy-lloyd-named-grand-marshal-of-citys-baby-parade/#sthash.TcUIkfgj.dpuf

served on the Board of the Ocean City Arts Center for many years where she arranges frequent fund raising bus trips to major art exhibits. - See more at: http://www.oceancityvacation.com/blog/peggy-lloyd-named-grand-marshal-of-citys-baby-parade/#sthash.TcUIkfgj.dpuf

Scott Conner wins Loren L. Zachary Competition

Scott Conner

Baritones and basses continue to dominate vocal competitions, as bass Scott Conner took away the top prize at the Loren L. Zachary Vocal Competition over the weekend. Earlier this year, Conner won the Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition. A District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Conner has been a finalist in the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, and was named a Gold Winner in Voice by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).

He is an Artist in Residence at the Academy of Vocal Arts where he has performed the title role in Don Giovanni, Colline in La bohème, La Roche in Capriccio, Oroveso in Norma, First Man in the world premiere of Scarlet Letter. the Four Villains in Les contes d'Hoffmann, the title role in Verdi's Oberto, and Dulcamara in L'elsir d'amore.

Two other barihunks walked away with top prizes, as Eugene Brancoveanu and Wes Mason also won prizes. Brandon Cedel, who was an early favorite to win the competition, had to withdraw due to illness. Other winners this year included, mezzo Olivia Vote, soprano Chloe Moore, soprano Anush Avetisyan, tenor Viktor Antipenko, tenor Benjamin Bliss and soprano Anna-Lisa Hackett.

Scott Conner sings "Fin ch'han dal vino" from Don Giovanni:

A number of barihunks have walked away with top prizes at the Loren L. Zachary competition in past years, including Zachary Nelson and Brandon Cedel in 2011, Donovan Singletary and Jonathan Beter in 2010, Kelly Markgraf in 2009 and Matt Trevino in 2007.

Contact us at Barihunks@gmail.com

Wes Mason to sing Pelleas at AVA

Wes Mason as seen in the 2012 Barihunks Charity Calendar. From the Ft. Worth Opera's "Before Night Falls"

Barihunk Wes Mason will perform Pelléas opposite soprano Chloé Moore's Mélisande in a performance of the Academy of Vocal Arts’ upcoming production of Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande running from February 25th through March 1st.  

Wes Mason and Chloé Moore discuss and perform an excerpt from Pelléas et Mélisande:


For the past seven seasons, The Academy of Vocal Arts has offered as part of its season, a fully staged opera with piano accompaniment in order to showcase AVA’s talented artists in roles they might not otherwise have an opportunity to perform. Often, these are operas that require large orchestras that would not fit into AVA’s small theater. Music director Luke Housner will be the pianist.

Bass Patrick Guetti sings the role of Arkel:


 Zachary Nelson (Golaud) and soprano Sydney Mancasola (Mélisande) sing Act l scene:


There are multiple casts, but Wes Mason will perform Pelléas for the performance on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 PM. Patrick Guetti will be performing Arkel in all of the performances. Zachary Nelson will perform Golaud on February 25th and 28th, as well as March 1st. Tickets range from $10-$60 and are available at www.avaopera.org or 215 735-1685.

CONTACT US AT Barihunks@gmail.com