Sexiest Barihunks Photo Co-Winners: Ernesto Petti & Kasey Yeargain

After a spirited week-long competition for our Sexiest Barihunks Calendar Photo, we're are pleased to a announce TWO winners. The voting was so close between our two top contenders, Italian Ernesto Petti and American Kasey Yeargain, that we're announcing them as co-winners. Each will receive the $100 prize.

Petti who once wanted to be a professional water polo player, shared the stage with Diana Damrau and Piotr Beczala in the controversial performance of Verdi's La traviata last year at La Scala decked out in sexy, white muscle tee shirt.

Ernesto Petti

Petti began his vocal studies in Naples when he was just 18 years old. In 2010, he graduated from the Academy of Torre del Lago Puccini, where he studied with acclaimed tenor Marco Berti.
He won first prize at the Francesco Albanese di Napoli competition and won the second prize at the "Ravello Città della Musica" competition.
 
He made his professional debut in 2009 as Eagro in the Johann Christian Bach edition of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice at the Festival Valle d'Itria. He followed that up with a performance in Viardot's Cendrillon. In 2011, he returned to the Festival to sing The Officer in Ernst Krenek's tragic one-act opera Der Diktator, for which he received critical acclaim.


He appeared in Puccini's hometown of Torre del Lago as Harry in the composer's La Fanciulla del West, which celebrated the centenary of his opera about the American West. He has also sang in Bizet's Carmen at the San Carlo in Naples, Verdi's Macbeth at the Teatro Coccia in Novara, Verdi's Simon Boccanegra at the Teatro Municipale di Piacenza and Modena.

Yeargain during a workout

Kasey Yeargain came to our attention with his dramatic Bari-Chunk to Bari-Hunk transformation. Yeargain, who weighed in at around 300 pounds and lacked self-esteem, has become a ripped and confident singer who moonlights as a personal trainer and inspirational blogger on The Opera Bro.
You can read all about the inspiration for his weigh loss and his winning "Tribute to Michelangelo's David" photo on his blog. 

He is currently singing the role of Trevor Graydon III, the wealthy head of Sincere Trust Insurance Company, in Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Poteet Theater in Oklahoma City from November 7-December 14 and tickets are available online.

You can purchase your own copy of the 2015 Barihunks Charity Calendar featuring Ernesto Petti, Kasey Yeargain and 17 other sexy singers at LULU. Simply click on the button below. 

 

 

Kasey Yeargain in Thoroughly Modern Millie

Kasey Yeargain

Kasey Yeargain, who is featured in the Barihunks Charity Calendar this year and is in the running for our Sexiest Picture contest, will be taking a break from opera to perform the role of Trevor Graydon III in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Kasey Yeargain: Before & After

Regular readers will recall that Yeargain was one of the most dramatic Bari-Chunk to Bari-Hunk stories in opera. Going from around 300 pounds and lacking self-esteem to becoming a ripped and confident singer who moonlights as a personal trainer and inspirational blogger on The Opera Bro.You can read all about the inspiration for his weigh loss and his sexy "Tribute to Michelangelo's David" photo for the calendar at his blog.

The role of Trevor Graydon III is perfect for Yeargain, as he's the wealthy head of Sincere Trust Insurance Company who the gold digging Millie sets her sights on snaring. The show will run at the Poteet Theater in Oklahoma City from November 7-December 14 and tickets are available online.

You can purchase a calendar by clicking below. This year, much of the money raised is going directly to the singers who participated.