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 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.

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.