Hunky Rinaldo with New York's operamission

Randall Scotting and Franco Pomponi

New York's operamission is continuing its ongoing series of presenting all 39 of Handel's complete  operas with Rinaldo on June 14 and 16 at Merkin Concert Hall. Conductor Jennifer Peterson will lead a full baroque orchestra from the harpsichord in a concert performance of the opera, which is based on Torquato Tasso's La Gerusalemme liberata. 

Barihunk Franco Pomponi will sing Argante and hunken-countertenor Randall Scotting will sing the title role of Rinaldo. They'll be joined by soprano Christine Arand as the Queen Armida, soprano Malia Bendi Merad as Almirena and countertenors Nicholas Tamagna as Goffredo and Andrew Rader as Eustazio.

Franco Pomponi sings Hamlet's drinking song (at the 2:00 mark):

Pomponi will be singing Prospero in Thomas Adès' The Tempest at the Hungarian State Opera from May 19-June 1. After he's done performing Rinaldo, Scotting will continue to work out at the gym in preparation for his first bodybuilding competition (and providing further proof that we need a Hunken-Countertenor site). 

Tickets for Rinaldo are $55 and $75 ($45 for students and seniors) and are available online. 

Wes Mason takes on Bernie Madoff

Barihunk Wes Mason, who just finished a successful run as Curly in Oklahoma! at the Utah Festival Opera, will be turning his attention to another American tale. On September 14th, he'll be singing the role of Bernie Madoff in a workshop of composer Luna Pearl Woolf's new opera The Pillar.

The opera is based on Diana Henriques’ bestselling book The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust. The opera tells the tale Ruth Madoff, who has dedicated her whole life to her husband, a pillar of the community. When Bernie Madoff falls into disgrace, she must finally confront choices—and consequences—of truly operatic proportions. The story digs beneath the surface of this contemporary scandal to uncover a timeless meditation on loyalty, corruption, and the nature of love.

Mason will be part of a workshop at the Opera America Center Recital Hall at 330 Seventh Avenue in New York where the audience can hear selection of the opera and offer feedback.

You can RSVP and reserve your seat by clicking here or by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/ThePillarRSVP

 Wes Mason rehearsing Curly in Oklahoma!

We asked Wes about working on The Pillar and this is what he told us:

"It has been such a joy of a process rehearsing and discovering with Luna, David and everyone. When you are in a room with a top notch team of artisans that are able to share their insight and take direction from the creators of a work, you just light up with inspiration. The music, the words, and the interpretation of the other singers has moved me to tears. This is a fascinating work so far. Workshops are a real gift."

Upcoming performances include Ford in Nicoai's The Merry Wives of Windsor at Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Stanley in Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire at Kentucky Opera, Jonathan Reed in Dove's Siren Song with Hawaii Opera and the title role of Hamlet in the Ambroise Thomas classic at the Fort Worth Opera Festival.

NSFW: Stéphane Degout strips bare for Hamlet; Online broadcast until June 17th

Stéphane Degout in Hamlet from La Monnaie

Stéphane Degout in Hamlet from La Monnaie

The brilliant, dark and provocative performance of Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet from La Monnaie will be available online until June 17, 2014. Conductor Marc Minkowski and Director Olivier Py have been combining forces in exploring the 19th-century French Grand opéra repertoire with great success. In 2011, they collaborated on a highly-acclaimed production of Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots.

Lenneke Ruiten's as Ophélie

Olivier Py has become well known for his generous display of male skin in his productions and Hamlet doesn't disappoint. There is an extensive scene that takes place in a bathtub with Stéphane Degout's Hamlet and his mother Gertrude, played by Jennifer Larmore. Even Lenneke Ruiten's Ophélie finds the perfect way to go mad - surrounded by four shirtless men in leather animal masks.

If you don't speak French or aren't familiar with the opera, you may want to download a copy of the libretto before watching, as the subtitles are in French. Click HERE to watch the performance. Because we know that you're going to fast forward to it anyway, the bathtub scene starts at 1:49.

Although the abundance of skin will certainly be a draw to many, the vocal performances are stunning, led by Stéphane Degout and Lenneke Ruiten.

Gianluca Margheri: Mr. April in the Barihunks Calendar

There is only one week left to purchase your 2014 Barihunks Charity Calendar, so order it today!!! All proceed go to benefit young artists.

 

"Nude Hamlet" headed to La Monnaie (and available online and TV)

Franco Pomponi rehearsing Hamlet at La Monnaie

Back in Apil we told you that the "nude Hamlet" from Theater an der Wien was headed to La Monnaie in Brussels. Well, it has arrived and it still has FOUR barihunks in the cast, although you'll have to attend two nights to see all four of them, as Stéphane Degout and Franco Pomponi are alternating the role of Hamlet. Joining them for all the performances are Henk Neven as Horatio and Jérôme Varnier as the spectre. This is Neven's debut at Horatio.

Stéphane Degout as Hamlet in Vienna

Stéphane Degout created quite a stir with his nude scene in Vienna and we expect that the matinee idol-looking Franco Pomponi will cause a few opera glasses to be raised for better viewing.

Hamlet is a five acts grand opera by the French composer Ambroise Thomas, with a libretto by Michel Carré and Jules Barbier. It as based on a French adaptation by Alexandre Dumas, père, and Paul Meurice of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. The work was premiered at the Paris Opéra March 9, 1868. Among the noted singers in the original cast were Jean-Baptiste Faure as Hamlet and Christine Nilsson as Ophelia.

The production at La Monnaie is directed by Olivier Py and is running from December 3-22. Tickets are available online. 

Jérôme Varnier as the spectre and Henk Neven as Horatio

If you can't make it to Brussels, don't be dismayed as La Monnaie broadcasts all of its productions for free on the internet. This production of Hamlet will be available from Tuesday, December 31, 2013  through Monday, January 20, 2014.

It will also be available on television on December 17 at Mezzo TV.

If you love beautiful opera singers, make sure to purchase your 2014 Barihunks Charity Calendar. Remember that all proceeds to go to benefit young artists. Help keep opera alive and thriving and buy yours today by clicking on the Lulu button below.

Four Barihunks in "Nude Hamlet" at La Monnaie

Stéphane Degout in Hamlet at Theater an der Wien

Director Olivier Py has never been shy about featuring male nudity, whether in operas like Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet or Alban Berg's Lulu, or theater productions like Die Sonne at Volksbühne Berlin. His Hamlet featuring Stéphane Degout in the buff created quite a buzz last Spring at the Theater an der Wien. The production is now coming to the La Monnaie in Brussels starring Stéphane Degout again. He will be alternating the role with fellow barihunk Franco Pomponi.

We were also intrigued to see two of our favorite barihunks in smaller roles, Jérôme Varnier and Henk Neven. If you like shirtless guys...and lots of them...you may want to order your tickets when they go on sale October 10. Although there are thirteen performances, tickets are expected to be extremely scarce. Tickets will be available for as little as € 12.

Stéphane Degout Strips Hamlet Bare

Add Stéphane Degout to the growing list of barihunks who have appeared nude on stage. The amazing French singer bares all in the Theater an der Wien's production of Ambroise Thomas' "Hamlet." His dispair and self-mutilation manifests itself in stunning scene in Act 3 when he is bathed by Gertrude.

The production is by Olivier Py who transformed the stage into a cavern of human debauchery and misery.

Degout last appeared on this site when he appeared in a dreamy cast of Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande with fellow barihunk Jérôme Varnier. The two are reunited in this production, as Varnier appears the ghost. Stéphane Degout has become the leading lyric baritone in the French style since Francois Le Roux and Gerard Souzay, both of whom have appeared on this site.

The always intense and musically incisive Christine Schäfer portrays Ophelia, Phillip Ens is Claudius and Frédéric Antoun is Laërtein in this co-production with the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels. Now let's hope that someone brings it to the United States.

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Dream(y) Cast for Pelléas et Mélisande at Bastille

Stéphane Degout & Jérôme Varnier

"Music begins when words are powerless to express; music is perfect for the inexpressible; I would like it to seem to come out of the shadows and, at times, to go back, always discreet."- Debussy imaging "Pelléas et Mélisande"

If you're heading to Paris anytime on or after February 28th, you're in luck. The Opéra de la Bastille has assembled a dream cast for both opera lovers and devotees of barihunks. Heading the cast is French barihunk Stéphane Degout, who is singing Pelléas opposite the Mélisande of Elena Tsallagova. That alone should be reason to buy a ticket, but the casting is magnificent in every role. The great mezzo Anne Sofie Von Otter is singing Geneviève, while the seductively sexy French barihunk Jérôme Varnier portrays Le Berger.


The sets and stage direction is by Robert Wilson and Philippe Jordan conducts the opera for the first time.

Stéphane Degout and Natalie Dessay in Act 2 of "Pelléas et Mélisande":

Elena Tsallagova sings Shéhérazade by Ravel:

After Pelléas, Degout and Varnier both head to Vienna to perform Thomas' "Hamlet." Degout will take on the title role, while Varnier is cast as Le Spectre.

CONTACT US AT Barihunks@gmail.com

Stephane Degout Takes NY by Storm

Stephane Degout

Perhaps the surprise hit at the Metropolitan Opera this year has been Rossini's "Le Comte Ory," which has received universal acclaim. It would be tough to beat a cast that included Juan Diego Florez, Joyce DiDonato and Diana Damrau, especially when you add Rossini's music to the mix. We've received a bunch of email about the Raimbaud in the production, French barihunk Stephane Degout. 


It's a mystery even to us why we haven't posted him before, as he perfectly fits our criteria of sexy and talented. Degout came to the opera world's attention in 1999 as Papageno at the Festival Aix-en-Provence. He has performed all over at Europe's leading opera houses, including Vienna, Paris, Salzburg and London in roles ranging from Orfeo to Pelleas. He has three performance of Le Comte Ory remaining, including tonight, and April 18 and 21. He appeared earlier at the Met this season in Debussy's "Pelleas et Melisande." You can hear a clip of him singing the Act 4 duet with Magdalena Kožená HERE. 


After the Met, he will be returning to his native France to perform the title character in Hamlet with the Opéra national du Rhin from June 9-28. 


He has released his first CD entitled 'Mélodies', which is dedicated to the French repertoire.

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The amazing artistry of Simon Keenlyside -- Macbeth Coming to Theaters

Jennifer Larmore & Simon Keenlyside in the Met's Hamlet

There are certain singers on this site who have what can only be described as fanatical followers. Nathan Gunn, Mariusz Kwiecien, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Simon Keenlyside easily have the most rabid and devoted fans. Compared to the others, we probably don't post enough of Keenlyside, especially since he is not only one of the greatest opera singers in the world, but one of the best actors around on any stage. Oh yeah, and he's also a certifiable barihunk!

 Keenlyside can bring any role to life and his upcoming schedule will show off his wide range of repertory. In April, he will be performing Pelleas et Mellisande in Paris and London, followed by Verdi's Macbeth at Covent Garden and then the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro at Salzburg. Fans of Keenlyside will be able to view his Macbeth at theaters around the world in June. Visit the Opus Arte Cinema website for screenings in your area.

Simon Keenlyside singing "Ô vin, dissipe la tristesse"

 We've always felt that Keenlyside singing "Ô vin, dissipe la tristesse" is one of the greatest baritone moments captured on video. This is a four minute master class in how to sing French opera beautifully and make it exciting all at once. Following that is the confrontation between Hamlet and his mother Gertrude (sung here by Jennifer Larmore), in one of the most powerful scenes in all of French opera. Once again, few baritones in history have ever sung this better than Keenlyside.

Here is a sampling of Keenlyside's upcoming roles and some of his best singing in the French repertory:






To get a different sampling of his amazing French style, here he is singing Poulenc's "Hotel."



Here he is singing "Pietà, rispetto, amore" from Verdi's "Macbeth."



Here he is singing"Hai gia vinta la causa" from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. We would challenge anyone to show us a singer who can bring this role to life more than Keenlyside.



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CONTEST: Hamlet's Drinking Song

If there is an opera that seems to be experiencing a major revival, it's Ambroise Thomas' "Hamlet,' Of course this is great news for lovers of the baritone voice, as it is an absolute showcase for baritones. Here are five very different renditions spanning 100 years of singing. Use the poll at the right and let us know which is your favorite version. 

Here is Bo Skovhus:



Here is Dmitri Hvorostovsky:



Here is Simon Keenlyside:



Here is Nelson Eddy:



Here is Titta Ruffo:



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Dmitri Vargin's Upcoming Papageno

Once again, a reader tip has brought a new barihunk to our attention. Dmitri Vargin is a 32-year-old baritone from Uzbekistan who is currently an artist-in-residence at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, where he will be performing Papageno in Die Zauberflöte in November. He will also perform in "Cosi fan tutte," "Manon," "Il trittico," and "Billy Budd" with the company. He first came to international attention in 2007 as a participant in the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.

Here he is singing the beautiful duet from Thomas' "Hamlet" with soprano Irina Oknina.



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Liam Bonner in Hamlet at WNO

The Baltimore Sun features barihunk Liam Bonner prominently in their article about Thomas'Hamlet at the Washington National Opera. The opera opens on Wednesday, May 19th and runs through June 4th.

The Sun wrote:

Liam Bonner, the vibrant young baritone who will alternate in the title role with Michael Chioldi (both are substitutes for the originally announced Carlos Alvarez), is another admirer of the piece. "I'm not sure why it got lost over the years," Bonner says. "I know a lot of people who are wary of it. But I love it. It's a very challenging work and complex on many levels."

Read the entire article HERE.

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How Hot Is Simon Keenlyside's Hamlet?

Is Simon Keenlyside's "Hamlet" so hot that it set The Met on fire. Read the answer HERE.

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Pomponi & Circumstance

The great thing about Google analytics is I can see who Barihunks readers think is hot. Right now it seems to be Franco Pomponi, so feast your eyes on these pictures from his website (www.francopomponi.com). The homoerotic pictures are with German tenor Rainer Trost from a production of Henze's "The Bassarids." Everything else is just Pomponi & Circumstance, so enjoy.