Miss me blond Miss me blond

From the technical standpoint San Francisco Opera’s Billy Budd was pretty much flawless.

on September 11, 2019 at 9:22 AM
Hope Chest Hope Chest

Barihunk John Chest headlines San Francisco Opera’s Billy Budd in the fall of 2019.

on May 09, 2018 at 12:40 PM
Barihunks without causes Barihunks without causes

La Cieca regrets to say it’s time to step back from the gratuitous display of bare skin in opera.

on January 31, 2018 at 12:52 PM
Vo’ farmi più gaia, più fulgida ancora Vo’ farmi più gaia, più fulgida ancora

“City Opera invites you, our fans, to march with the artists who create the operas you love.”

on June 24, 2017 at 10:06 PM
Ott and proud Ott and proud

“Baritone Jarrett Ott (bottom) in Philadelphia, with current boyfriend Adam Franklin (top)…”

on January 31, 2016 at 7:55 PM
Un Ravens kicker, ardendo di geloso furor Un Ravens kicker, ardendo di geloso furor

Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker may or may not be giving up his day job any time soon.

on December 12, 2015 at 9:38 AM
Juan and two Juan and two

I always think of Don Giovanni as half of the greatest opera ever written. Or, actually, about 2/3 of the greatest opera ever written.

on September 20, 2014 at 3:59 PM
Change of pace Change of pace

La Cieca has just heard that Joseph Kaiser, due to unforeseen circumstances, will not be able to participate in Sunday’s Voce recital.

on September 15, 2014 at 11:26 AM
West side, east side West side, east side

Recently, opera showed up at both Mets, the Metropolitan Opera and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

on March 07, 2014 at 7:58 PM
Male fraud Male fraud

Has Los Angeles Opera mentioned lately that Billy Budd has an all-male cast?

on January 25, 2014 at 6:13 PM
Bass-barihunk Bass-barihunk

Richard Bernstein is a very good-looking guy, even with his clothes on.”

on January 08, 2014 at 12:09 PM
Montag mit Marianne Montag mit Marianne

Our Very Own Marianne Leitmetzerin (pictured) has graciously shared a jewel from her vast coffer of recorded performances, a boon La Cieca hopes will become a regular Monday event here at parterre.

on December 09, 2013 at 12:57 PM
Beware the abs of March Beware the abs of March

The pictured Zachary Gordin is only one (or, at most, three) of the plethora of pinups provided by this year’s 2014 Barihunks Charity Calendar, on sale now with all proceeds going to help support young artists and young artist programs.

on October 08, 2013 at 9:00 AM
A pair of kings A pair of kings

Opera Teen (pictured) approves of this summer’s program at the Glimmerglass Festival.

on August 20, 2013 at 11:18 AM
Leather underground Leather underground

Putting in a little face time (and what faces!) at Charles Castronovo‘s cabaret at 54 Below last night were barihunk trifecta Erwin Schrott, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Ildar Abdrazakov.

on December 07, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Opera pump Opera pump

Happy birthday to baritone Zachary Gordin, cover boy for this year’s Barihunk Wall Calendar.

on November 23, 2012 at 1:20 AM
Desert fox Desert fox

Karol Szymanowski’s 1926 King Roger was the sleeper hit of SFO’s season, not so much for its weird, mystical theme and feeble libretto but because the music is powerfully effective.

on August 17, 2012 at 8:31 PM
Le sigh Le sigh

Prepare to swoon, cher public, as the Bayerische Staatsopera presents yet another of their hunk-o-rama webcasts, Eugene Onegin, starring Simon Keenlyside and Pavol Breslik.

on March 19, 2012 at 1:07 PM

It was indeed a curious sensation  making a late morning trek to East 59th Street, a block devoted to showro0ms for bizarre upscale furniture and lighting fixtures, and then to enter a boutique cinema specializing in Hindi films (the big coming attraction right now is Desi Boyz) — and all this before sitting down in…

on December 08, 2011 at 11:11 AM

Randal Turner, pictured above, is but one of 33 barihunks featured in—who ever would have guessed?— “the first Barihunks calendar,” just in time for holiday giving and receiving. All proceeds from the calendar, available at the Barihunks site, will be donated to young artist programs. (Photo by Sarah Wells)

on November 14, 2011 at 2:51 PM

Good news, barihunk lovers! According to a press release from the Met, Mariusz Kwiecien will return to the stage for the title role of Don Giovanni on October 25, in time for the HD telecast October 29 as well as remaining scheduled performances through November 11.

on October 14, 2011 at 2:19 PM

Peter Mattei will sing the opening night of the Met’s new Don Giovanni Thursday, replacing the injured Mariusz Kwiecien. Subbing for Mattei as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia tomorrow and Friday nights will be Rodion Pogossov.

on October 10, 2011 at 6:33 PM

Barihunk Mariusz Kwiecien injured his handsome back during today’s dress rehearsal of Don Giovanni at the Met and was taken to the hospital, tweets Dan Wakin. As La Cieca writes this, Kwiecien’s cover Dwayne Croft is at the Met rehearsing the opera’s first act swordfight.  

on October 10, 2011 at 3:40 PM

Winners of the seventh annual F. Paul Driscoll Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence, or, as they are colloquially known, the Opera News Awards, have been announced. Accepting the coveted “Effies” on Sunday, April 29 at The Plaza in New York City will be sopranos Karita Mattila and Anja Silja, baritones Dmitri…

on August 02, 2011 at 10:18 AM