Nathan Gunn is back at the San Francisco in what is arguably one of his greatest roles, Papageno in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Despite the fact that we're a site clearly dedicated to baritones, we often get asked why we don't feature tenors. So for all of you hunkentenor lovers, you'll be thrilled to know that Alek Shrader has been cast as Tamino.
Much of the chatter in San Francisco opera circles has been that the popular David Hockney production has been scrapped for a new production by visual artist Jun Kaneko. By all accounts, it's going to be every bit as spectacular and visually stunning.
SF Opera's "Magic Flute" by visual artist Jun Kaneko
Performances run from tonight through July 8th and tickets can be purchased on the San Francisco Opera website. The company is also presenting Verdi's "Attila" and John Adams' "Nixon in China." The Magic Flute will be sung in English.
Make sure to read our post about Nathan Gunn's upcoming performance in Mark Adamo's "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene," which is sure to generate a lot of interest in the opera world, as well as press attention.
Nathan Gunn as Billy Budd, at the Met on left (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) & in San Francisco (Darryl Bush SF Chronicle)
Nathan Gunn has become the über-barihunks of barihunks. Not only is he the reason that the phrase was first coined 15 years ago by director Francesca Zambeloo, but he has shown amazing staying power as one of opera's most popular sex symbols. After all, how many opera singers have had their workout routines featured in the Wall Street Journal?
WQXR 105 in New York City recently asked Nathan Gunn to name the "Top 5" operas in which he was asked to disrobe. Not only did he manage to come up with a great list and descriptions of each role, but he showed a great grasp of the history of the term "barihunk." Here is the list, followed by the video:
5. Daniel Catán - Florencia en el Amazonas (Riolobo) 4. Tobias Picker - An American Tragedy (Clive) 3. Péter Eötvös - Love and Other Demons (Father Delaura) 2. Benjamin Britten - Billy Budd (Billy Budd) 1. Gluck - Iphigénie en Tauride (Oreste)
Deborah Voigt (photo NYTimes) and Nathan Gunn as Billy Budd
Barihunk Nathan Gunn will replace one of the great spear carrying Brunnhilde's of all-time, Deborah Voigt, on March 20th in Ft. Worth. Gunn is stepping in for Voigt at the Cliburn Concerts at Bass Hall. Voigt withdrew because of illness. The performance also serves as a preview to local audiences, who will see Gunn in the Dallas Opera's production of Dominik Argento's The Aspern Papers in 2013.
Accompanying Mr. Gunn in performance will be his wife, pianist Julie Gunn.
Single tickets are available from $15-$90, and can be purchased at Cliburn.org or by calling 817.212.4280. Tickets to Deborah Voigt's recital will be honored.
Gunn is currently wrapping up a highly acclaimed performance in Show Boat at Lyric Opera of Chicago. After the Ft. Worth recital, he heads back to the stage in two of his most heralded roles at two of America's greatest opera houses. On May 4th, he portrays the title character in Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd at the Metropolitan Opera. He then heads to the San Francisco Opera on June 13th, where he will portray Papageno in Mozart's The Magic Flute. The San Francisco Opera summer season also includes John Adams' Nixon in China and Verdi's Attila.
Nathan Gunn as Papageno in Julie Taymor's famous production:
Ryan McKinny as Jochanaan (Photo: New Orleans Opera)
Check out the photo of barihunk Ryan McKinny as Jochanaan in Richard Strauss' Salome at the New Orleans Opera, which had its final performance today. We're not sure how we missed this performance!
McKinny's career has taken off since he was a Grand Finalist in the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was featured in the film tenor-laden film The Audition. He has performed regularly with the Houston Grand Opera and Los Angeles Opera and has begun establishing a reputation in Europe, singing in Berlin and Leipzig. In fact, his next performance will be with Oper Leipzig as Hercules in Gluck's Alceste (Alkestis). He returns to the United States on May 4th when he sings Lt. Ratcliffe opposite Nathan Gunn in Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd at the Metropolitan Opera.
Ryan KcKinny as Jochanaan and Mlada Khudoley as Salome in the
New Orleans Opera's production of Salome:
Theodore P. Mahne of the New Orleans Times-Picayune wrote:
As Jokanaan, baritone Ryan McKinny was simply amazing. Even from the depth of the cistern in which he is imprisoned, his rich voice soared. When he is brought to the surface, his prophetic warnings resonate with increased power and command.
There is a savage beauty to McKinny’s acting, depicting a man of God who had removed himself from the ways of the world to live in the desert. Now chained in the palace of the Tetrarch, McKinny’s Jokanaan moves like a caged animal, carefully aware of his surroundings, easy to spook, yet knowing that he has a strength and power to overcome his captors.
Fans of Nathan Gunn already think he's godlike, so it only seems logical that he was destined to play the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The San Francisco Opera just announced a delightfully ambitious season that includes Mark Adamo's "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene." The opera draws on the Gnostic Gospels, the Canonical Gospels, and decades of biblical scholarship to reimagine the story of the New Testament through the eyes of its lone substantial female character.
Nathan Gunn practicing his Jesus portrayal as Billy Budd
This opera will undoubtedly stir up some controversy, as it looks at the woman who Jesus loved in a whole new light. Mary Magdalene will be played by the Nicole Kidman-esque Sasha Cooke, so we can surely expect a non-traditional Mary-Jesus narrative. We can also expect to hear from the Catholic Church, so this opera will undoubtedly create some press controversy (and opera in the mainstream press is a good thing!). Kudos to the San Francisco Opera for taking a risk and challenging opera audiences and for bringing us an exciting new work.
Speaking of exciting new works, the San Francisco Opera is also presenting Nolan Gasser's "The Secret Garden" and Jake Heggie's "Moby-Dick." David Gockley and the San Francisco Opera family deserves special praise for bringing three new American works to the public in one season during difficult economic times when most companies are reduced to producing an endless stream of lackluster old war horses.
Marco Vratogna sings "Quei due vedesti?" from Simon Boccanegra:
Of course, no opera could survive without the standard repertory and the San Francisco Opera's 2012-13 season includes some great theater. Operas include Bellini's "I Capuleti e i Montecchi," Verdi's "Rigoletto," Offenbach's "The Tales of Hoffmann," Wagner's "Lohengrin," Puccini's "Tosca," and Mozart's "Così fan tutte."
Christian Van Horn (left) and Philippe Sly (right)
A number of barihunks have also been cast, including the imposing Christian Van Horn as the four villains in "Tales of Hoffman," Marco Vratogna as Rigoletto, Morgan Smith as Starbuck in "Moby-Dick" and the exciting leading role/mainstage debut of Phillipe Sly as Guglielmo in "Così fan tutte." We've been predicting major stardom for the Met Auditions winner Philippe Sly and we're thrilled that he's been cast in a starring role on a major stage.
We're pretty sure that the San Francisco Opera is the opera hot spot for music lovers this year. Visit the San Francisco Opera website for tickets and additional information.
American barihunk Craig Verm is returning to the Pittsburgh Opera as Zurga in Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers." The role of Zurga made Nathan Gunn's pecs famous and helped launch the term "barihunk" into general usage. We have a feeling that Verm's Zurga is going to make him a household name. How often is the singer in a role as hot or hotter than the model used by the marketing department?
Internationally-renowned fashion designer Zandra Rhodes who wowed audiences in San Francisco with her Aida has been brought on to design the costumes for one of opera's most exotic spectacles.
Verm returns to the Pittsburgh Opera after a successful run in Ricky Ian Gordon's "The Grapes of Wrath" in 2008. Verm will be joined by tenor sensation Sean Panikkar in the famous duet “Au fond du temple saint.”
Craig Verm
Performances run from November 12-20 and tickets are available on the Pittsburgh Opera website.
Here is the now legendary performance of the duet from The Pearl Fishers with Nathan Gunn and William Burden:
Dmitri Hvorostovsky: The perfect barihunk package?
The wonderful Dutch opera site Place de l'Opera recently wondered if barihunks were just sexy guys who were getting jobs because of their looks and couldn't really sing. Basia Jaworski rated seven singers that have appeared on the site and ranked them for looks and singing ability.
In her article, Jaworski also points out that many roles in opera actually require a lot of charisma and sexuality to make the role work. She also points out that the site appeals to more than gay men, which if our email is any indication is more than accurate. About half our mail and photo submissions come from women. What is interesting is how some singers seem to appeal to women and others to men, while others seem to have a more universal appeal.
Also, we pride ourselves in posting singers who not only look good, but who can sing. This is why we tend to highlight singers who are winning vocal competitions and are being hand-selected by composers to premiere their works. After all, we like our barihunks to be the complete package.
Here are her rankings. Feel free to share your thoughts in the COMMENTS section:
Erwin Schrott: Looks 9, Singing 6
Bo Skovhus: Looks 9, Singing 9
Rod Gilfry: Looks 9, Singing 9
Simon Keenlyside: Looks 9, Singing 10
Dmitry Hvorostovsky: Looks 10, Singing 10
Mariusz Kwiecien: Looks 8, Singing 7
Nathan Gunn: Looks 8, Singing 8
You can read Basia Jaworski's complete article on the Place de l'Opera website.
Bo Skovhus sings Robert Schumann's "Stille Tränen"
The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia featured a wonderful mock version of Vanity Fair's photo of sexy opera singers that included barihunks Mariusz Kwiecien, Nathan Gunn and Erwin Schrott. AVA low voices include Scott Conner and Wes Mason, who has been a regular on this site.
From left to right: Mariusz Kwiecien, Polish baritone; Maija Kovalevska, Latvian soprano; Rolando Villazón, Mexican tenor; Nathan Gunn, American baritone; Danielle de Niese, Australian-born soprano; Erwin Schrott, Uruguayan bass; Anna Netrebko, Russian soprano. Photograph by Wayne Maser; styled by Sarajane Hoare.
Just a few of the exciting artists AVA audiences can look forward to hearing this year. (l-r) Alexandra Maximova, Scott Conner, Maria Aleida, Nelson Ebo, Wes Mason, John Viscardi, and Chrystal Williams(Photo by Paul Sirochman)
It's been almost four years since we started Barihunks and we've been blown away by the popularity of the site. We often get asked why we started the site. The picture of Mariusz Kwiecien featured above appeared in the Sunday, September 18, 2011 version of the New York Times. It prompted us to tell the story (which you can also hear on the Texapolitan Opera podcast featured on the right-hand column).
Mariusz Kwiecien was the original inspiration for this site. His steamy, sexy Don Giovanni at the San Francisco Opera, which was recorded and recently rebroadcast on television, prompted a discussion amongst friends about creating a tribute site. We felt that a site dedicated to one singer didn't have broad enough appeal. However, when we start thinking of other sexy singers, a slew of baritones rolled off of our tongues: Erwin Schrott, Dimitri Hvorostovsky, Nathan Gunn...
The list went on and on and on. The natural result was a site dedicated to the baritone-hunks of opera. (FYI, it's pronounced Bear-a-Hunk, not Berry-Hunk).
The original Barihunks: Erwin Schrott, Nathan Gunn & Dmitri Hvorostovsky
We believe that director Francesca Zambello coined the term to describe Nathan Gunn in her production of "Iphigénie en Tauride" at Glimmerglass in 1997 opposite the equally sexy tenor Bill Burden.
GUNN AND BURDEN MAKING OPERA SEXY IN PEARL FISHERS:
We've been heartened by the amazing emails and support we've received about the site. We received this note from a singer today, "Thanks for showing that opera can be as sexy as anything in the movies or on TV. Your site has shaken up the world of opera for the better." It summed up our intentions perfectly!
Kwiecien: So sexy he launched an opera phenomenon
For other fans of the original barihunk, Mariusz Kwiecien, he's back as Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera beginning October 13th. For those who can't be in NY, the performance will be broadcast worldwide on November 16th as part of the Met's "Live in HD." Check your local listings for performance locations.
We're glad you're enjoying the site. Feel free to email us with comments, suggestion or tips on opera performances or singers at Barihunks@gmail.com.
Usually when we're covering anything in Ft. Worth it involves our beloved Ft. Worth Opera. But tonight the Ft. Worth Symphony Orchestra is opening their season with American barihunk Jonathan Beyer singing selections from Aaron Copland's "Old American Songs." If you're in the area, you won't want to miss Beyer, who is establishing a reputation as a leading interpreter of American music. Click HERE for concert and ticket information.
Andrew Garland & Liam Moran
The Annapolis Opera will be featuring two barihunks in their first-ever production of Gounod's "Romeo & Juliet." Andrew Garland will sing his first ever Mercutio and Liam Moran will be featured as Friar Lawrence. In the tenor role of Romeo is the equally adorable and talented Eric Margiore. There will be two performance on May 18 and 20 of next year. Click HERE for tickets and additional cast information.
Nathan Gunn
On August 31, barihunk Nathan Gunn will be teaming up with Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin at the Ravinia Festival for an evening of music from Broadway, opera, Americana, Yiddish and rock selections. Rumor has it that one of them will even appear in a bathtub. Click HERE for tickets.
Lastly, here is British barihunk Christopher Maltman talking about his recent live recording sessions of Schubert at Wigmore Hall and a clip of him at the 1997 "Cardiff Singer of the World" competition performing Schubert's "Ständchen." We think he's gotten sexier since his standout performance 14 years ago.
Barihunks spotted Nathan Gunn at a performance of Griselda in Santa Fe and we were wondering what brought him to town since he wasn't in any of the operas. We have since learned that he'll be singing with the company in 2015 in the world premiere of Cold Mountain, which is based on the best-selling novel about a Civil War deserter by Charles Frazier. The opera features music by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon and a libretto by Gene Scheer.
Santa Fe will also features two other world premieres in upcoming seasons, Oscar by Theodore Morrison, based on the life of Oscar Wilde in 2013 and Miss Fortune by Judith Weir in 2014.
Daniel Okulitch & Markus Beam
There is no shortage of barihunks in Santa Fe for those who can't wait for Cold Mountain. Daniel Okulitch continues to receive raves as Abdul in Menotti's The Last Savage. Markus Beam was a pleasant last minute replacement as Schaunard for fellow barihunk Keith Phares in Puccini's La Boheme. For a complete cast list, visit the Santa Fe Opera website.
Markus Beam sings Guglielmo's aria, "Non siate ritrosi", from Mozart's Così fan tutte:
Tomorrow is opening night for Nathan Gunn's first "Eugene Onegin," which we've been talking about for a year. The Cincinnati Enquirer recently ran this interview with the "original barihunk.":
It's hard to ignore opera baritone Nathan Gunn's movie star looks, ideal for the Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" series, in which he has appeared in movie theaters around the world.
One of opera's most dashing leading men, the South Bend, Ind., native has attracted fans not only for his rich, warm baritone - winning acclaim for roles such as Billy Budd at the Metropolitan Opera - but also for a few of his shirtless costumes. [Continue reading HERE].
Nathan Gunn
Tickets range from $26-$165 and can be purchased by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting www.cincinnatiopera.org. Here is a preview of the opera by General Director Evans Mirageas.
You can also listen to Anne Arenstein's intelligent interview with Gunn by clicking HERE.
About a year ago we announced that Nathan Gunn was going to make his debut as the title character in Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" at the Cincinnati Opera. That debut is upon us, as opening night is on Thursday, July 14, with an additional performance on July 16. Gunn will be joined on stage by fellow barihunk Denis Sedov who is singing Prince Gremin. We have a feeling that these are going to be two special performances. If you haven't seen an opera in Cincinnati's Music Hall, this is a great excuse for a road trip. The opera house, which was built in 1878, is both an acoustic and architectural gem.
We also need to commend the Cincinnati Opera for their excellent website banner for the opera [see above].
After leaving Cincinnati, Gunn then takes the role of Onegin to the Opera Music Festival in Sigulda, Latvia on July 30 and August 2.
Nathan Gunn poster from Latvia
Here is the great bass Nicolai Ghiaurov singing Gremin's aria "Lyubvi fse vozrastï pokornï" (The gift of love is rightly treasured).
Here is Nathan Gunn singing "If Ever I Would Leave You" from Camelot:
Here is Sedov singing some bassa nova the Shablul Jazz Club in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Perhaps only Mozart's "Don Giovanni" has provided more material for Barihunks than Benjamin Britten's "Rape of Lucretia." The opera contains three roles that are often cast with barihunks - Junius, Collatinus and Tarquinius. Because the opera revolves around young soldiers it is usually cast with young, buff singers. Rather than bore readers with a lot of text, here is a photo tribute to one of the sexiest operas in the repertory.
Nathan Gunn in Vienna
Dan Kempson in Pittsburgh
The Rape of Lucretia revolves around a bet made between three Roman officers, Collatinus, Junius, and Prince Tarquinius, while they are at war with Greece. The three men bet on which of their wives will be faithful. As it turns out, only Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus remains true to her man. In a jealous rage, Prince Tarquinius rides back to Rome and rapes Lucretia. Overcome by shame, Lucretia commits suicide.
Robyn Rocklein & Seth Kershinik at Arizona Opera Theater
Benjamin Britten (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976) composed The Rape of Lucretia, a two-act English tragic drama based on the play "Le Viol de Lucrèce" by André Obey. The opera was premiered at Glyndebourne on July 12, 1946. The setting is in Rome in 500 BC.
Phillip Addis in Victoria; Colin Clarke at ENO
Grant Doyle at ROH; Kiera Duffy & Philip Cutlip in Toledo
Christopher Maltman sings "Within this frail crucible of light," where Tarquinius pauses to collect his courage before doing the dreadful deed.
Nathan Gunn at Cafe Carlyle (Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times)
Stephen Holden of the New York Times wrote the following review of Nathan Gunn's appearance at New York's Cafe Carlyle:
Nathan Gunn commands an operatic baritone whose mighty heft and richness confer an outsize authority on everything he touches. When he dips into popular music, he suggests a vocal Babe Ruth aiming for the fences, all the while maintaining a hero’s confident stance. At the Café Carlyle, where he opened “An Evening With Nathan Gunn” on Tuesday evening, he belted it out of the ballpark four times. There were also singles, doubles and a couple of strikeouts. [Continued HERE]
Reporter Donna Karger recently profiled Julie and Nathan Gunn, who are performing at New York's famed Cafe Carlyle. The musical couple are performing American standards together through April 16th. Songs will include "I've Got a Crush on You," "My Funny Valentine" and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams."
Apparently, Karger was more focused on Nathan Gunn who she consistently referred to by name, while calling Julie Gunn, a wonderful musician in her own right, "the wife" and "the missus." Hey, we're focused on barihunks, too, but we're happy to call her Julie.
Barihunk Nathan Gunn was recently interviewed by the Orange County Register in anticipation of his upcoming appearance at the Segerstrom Center's Cabaret Series from March 24-27. We enjoyed this little tidbit:
Register: How did you react to People magazine's award [as one of the Sexiest Men Alive]? What's it like being a sex object as well as an opera star?
Gunn: It's kind of funny; flattering too. Mostly I was glad they didn't rank me. I caught a lot of flak from my buddies, of course. But I think something like that is good for my business. It helps break down those old outmoded stereotypes about opera.
