Reader Submission: Italian Barihunk Ernesto Petti

Ernesto Petti: Water Polo to Opera

Our latest reader submission came from a baritone colleague, who sang with him in Austria and Italy. Meet Salerno native Ernesto Petti, who recently switched fachs from tenor to baritone.

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 (that prompted Beczala to exclaim that he'd never sing there again). The production was broadcast, allowing Petti to draw an unusual amount of positive attention in a small role, as he was decked out in sexy, white muscle tee shirt [see photo].

Petti began his vocal studies in Naples when he was just18 years old. In 2010,he graduatedfrom the Academy ofTorre del Lago Puccini, where he studiedwith acclaimed tenorMarco Berti.
He won firstprize at theFrancesco Albanese di Napoli competitionand won thesecondprize at the "Ravello Città della Musica" competition.
 
He made his professional debut in 2009asEagroin the JohannChristian Bach editionofGluck'sOrfeo ed Euridiceat the FestivalValle 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 DerDiktator, for which he receivedcritical acclaim.

 
He appeared in Puccini's hometown of Torre delLago as Harry in the composer'sLa Fanciulla del West, which celebrated the centenaryof his opera about the American West. 
 
He has also sang in Bizet's Carmenat the SanCarlo in Naples, Verdi's Macbethat the TeatroCoccia inNovara, Verdi's SimonBoccanegraat the TeatroMunicipale diPiacenzaandModena.