Barihunk Duncan Rock returning to Glyndebourne

Barihunk Duncan Rock

Duncan Rock will be returning to the Glyndebourne Festival this Summer and Fall, where he previously scored a career-changing success as Tarquinius in Fiona Shaw's production of Britten's The Rape of Lucretia.      

From August 11-28, he'll perform the role of Demetrius in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream with an all-star cast that includes Tim Mead as Oberon, Elizabeth DeShong as Hermia and Kate Royal as Helena. From October 15 to December 9, he travels around the U.K. with Glyndebourne on Tour portraying the title role in Mozart's Don Giovanni with fellow barihunk Brandon Cedel as his sidekick Leporello.

On Wednesday, June 1st he'll be performing with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the spirited conducting of Nic McGegan. The program includes songs by Thomas Arne, Ralph Vaughan Williams' In Windsor Forest , highlights from Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate, highlights from Henry Purcell's The Fairy Queen and the duet from Berlioz's Béatrice et Bénédict. He'll be joined by soprano Fflur Wyn, tenor Andrew Henley and mezzo Sandra Piques Eddy.

Barihunk afficionados won't want to miss him as Donald in Deborah Warner's new production of Britten's Billy Budd at the Teatro Real in Madrid, where he will be joined by barihunks Jacques Imbrailo in the title role, Borja Quiza as Novice's Friend and Thomas Oliemans as Mr. Redburn.

He is also slated to make his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in an upcoming season as Schaunard in Puccini's La bohème.

John Brancy takes Britain by storm

John Brancy (Photo on right: James Bellorini)

The British are finally getting the chance to enjoy American barihunk John Brancy, as he tours in Glyndebourne's production of Donizetti's Don Pasquale as Malatesta. They are at the tail end of the tour with final performances in Plymouth and Woking running through December 4th. During the tour he's taken time to appear on BBC3 in Norwich (at 1:43:00) and Classicfm for a demonstration of bel canto and legato. (Check them out, as they are quite entertaining).

He'll be returning to North America after the run for a Christmas concert with his wife mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta They will join the Edmonton Symphony, the Greenwood Singers and the dancers from Shelley’s Dance Company for a program that includes Jingle Bells, Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, Silver Bells, Sleigh Ride, music from The Santa Clause films and a Christmas carol sing-along.

On January 16, he'll join pianist Peter Dugan in Aiken, South Carolina to reprise their critically acclaimed program of WWI songs. The duo then heads to Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital hall on February 5, 2016 for a program entitled Fantasy, which includes music by Schumann, Sibelius, Grieg, Britten and Bridge. 

Enjoy 18 more barihunks in our new Charity Calendar, which is on sale now. 

Malte Roesner