This morning, London's Royal Opera House posted a promo video on YouTube of tenor Jonas Kaufmann (who, it must be said, is featured prominently on the blog "Shirtless Opera Singers").
In this video, Kaufmann is not exactly practicing his right hook or sporting a satin robe — instead, the stylists have gone for tux-and-Rat Pack cool. Also, he's not heard singing a note, not that that's the point of this promo. Nor is there any classical music in it at all. (The opera, by the way, is Berlioz' Les Troyens, in a new production opening in June and directed by David McVicar. Not that that matters a whit either.)
Just a few years ago, Kaufmann was complaining to the press that he was "fed up with being portrayed as male opera totty in what he feels are inappropriate magazines." Has his tune changed? (Totty, by the by, is a Britishism for hottie.)
Watch the video and tell us what you think: Silly? Sexy? And do you think it will attract new audiences?
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