Wow! Forty-seven years and that Polish tenor doesn't look a day over 30. What's really weird is that he shares the same birthday as my old friend Paolo. With his guy-next-door looks and splendid lyrical voice, Piotr Beczala is absolutely perfect for passionate teenager roles and young seducer roles. I'm serious; he looks like someone I might run into at the supermarket or church.
I don't recall precisely when I first heard of him, but I officially recognized the name in the winter of '09 when he sang the role of Lensky in the Met's previous production of Eugene Onegin. I was seventeen then. He made my list of favorites three years ago with his interpretation of Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. He will be returning to the Met in role of the Prince in Rusalka.
Happy Birthday, Piotr Beczala!
