Jonas Kaufmann "is fed up with being portrayed as male opera totty"

I would have thought the best way to avoid being portrayed as male opera totty is to keep your chin up, your shirt buttoned, and both feet on the ground when a camera points your way.

But der Traumtenor Jonas Kaufmann thinks it's all the record company's fault, as he explains to Hugh Canning in today's Sunday Times. And he's told them in no uncertain terms which of their photos in their publicity arsenal are too tottytastic for distribution. So feast your eyes while you may:

Apparently, Jonas considers bestriding a mighty gipfel in tight pants and leather knee boots better conveys his seriousness of purpose. Hmmmmm:

Comments

[Manou]

A shave and a haircut would do the trick.

[Hal]

Is a totty related to a hotty? And yes, record companies are often blamed. Florez used to say that he was merchandized using a "Latin lover" theme. He adroitly avoids any comments re his good looks, but I have to believe he is aware of them, even if they are much enhanced by makeup.

[Alan, London]

I think what's worse than pretending to be male totty is the kitsch appropriation of a famous pose from one of Caspar David Friedrich's paintings. But maybe what he's trying to say that is that deep down he really wants to be a lonely lovelorn despairing romantic hero ...

[Manou]

The boots could do with a shave too.