Barihunk Benjamin Appl signs with Sony Classical

Benjamin Appl

The sublimely gifted German barihunk Benjamin Appl has signed a contract with Sony Classical. Appl, who was Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's last private student, will release a recording of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Grieg and a number of English composers in early 2017.

His first recording on Champs Hill was of Schumann’s Dichterliebe, which he followed with a disc of Schubert lieder from Wigmore Hall with accompanist Graham Johnson.

His next live recital will be at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and will include music by Hahn, Schubert, Muhly and Schumann with James Bailleu on piano. On June 13, he'll appear as Aeneas in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds with Dame Ann Murray as Dido. 

Dominik Köninger Dresses Down for Bach

Dominik Köninger as Jesus ( Foto: Johanna Sterner)

We love our readers for a million reasons, but mostly for the great photos that they send to us. Our best material comes from our readers, like this picture of Dominik Köninger perfoming Jesus in director Tobias Kratzer's current production of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion (Johannespassionen) at the Värmland Opera in Karlstad, Sweden. The production also includes barihunk Johan Rydh as Pilatus and runs every Saturday until April 8th.

Dominik Köninger as Jesus (Foto: Johanna Sterner)

Köninger's career has taken off since he won First Prize at the Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition last year. On April 15-16, he joins conductor Christopher Hogwood, the Limburg Cathedral Boys Choir and the Bremen Philharmonic Orchestra for performances of Mozart’s version of Handel’s Ode to St. Cecilia.

This year, Köninger will join the ensemble of Komische Oper Berlin in Berlin, where he will perform Guglielmo, Il Conte, Orfeo and Orest in Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride. In 2013, he makes his debut as Guglielmo in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte at New National Theatre in Tokyo.

Dominik Köninger sings Mozart's "Hai gia vinta la causa":

Köninger also just released his first recording, a performance of Orff’s Carmina Burana in the version for two pianos and percussion on SONY Classical. We've also learned about another proposed recording project that we'll post when have additional information.

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"Hot Schrott" sings Tangos

"Hot Schrott" singing tango music

Awhile back we tantalized readers with the news that Erwin Schrott would be releasing an album of tango music on Sony. Although the album isn't completed yet, he has been singing them at recitals and galas throughout the world to great acclaim. Luckily for fans of the singer, they have made their way onto YouTube.

Here is the Uruguayan barihunk singing "Rojo Tango" by Pablo Ziegler. The composer is a Latin Grammy award-winning pianist who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His music is known for its mixing of classic tango rhythms with jazz improvisations.



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Erwin Schrott Switches Teams

A Decca Promotional Shot of Erwin Schrott

Barihunk Erwin Schrott aka "Hot Schrott" is switching his recording label from Decca to Sony Classical.

The Uruguayan singer has signed an “exclusive, long-term agreement” with Sony Classical and will release his first CD in April 2011. The recording will feature music from his native South America, and include tangos by Astor Piazzolla, Pablo Ziegler and Juan Carlos Coblan, as well as songs from Argentina and Brazil.

Next year will feature a heavy dose of Mozart, as he sings Leporello and Figaro at Salzburg, Don Giovanni in Berlin and the Count in Vienna.

Keep in mind that we're still posting Messiah's where barihunks are performing. Send us your listing to Barihunks@gmail.com.