06/26/2007
Gay Newlywed Swiss Tenor Hugues Cuénod Turns 105
Playbill Arts reports that gay Swiss tenor Hugues Cuénod celebrates his 105th birthday today.
According to PA, Cuénod "was a member of Nadia Boulanger's madrigal group, sang in the world premiere of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress, played one of the animals in The Cunning Little Vixen for Simon Rattle's Glyndebourne debut, and made his own Metropolitan Opera debut at age 84."
Now that's a life lived fully. And not only that. Cuénod legalized his 20-year relationship with 64-year-old retired Swiss civil servant Alfred Augustin in a civil union ceremony earlier this year.
Said Augustin: "It was a logical decision, especially at this age! Most people were happy for us, though a few promised us 15,000 years in hell." He also noted that although he is no longer very mobile, "Hugues still likes to go riding in the car, especially with the top down so he can let his long white hair blow in the wind."
Cuénod told the Associated Press about his birthday plans: "I will probably stay in bed. I won't do anything special."
What's his secret for living to such a ripe old age? Cuénod told Swiss Agency ATS: "It's not my fault, I didn't do anything for it! I'm in good health, I'm lazy and I have a [dear] friend to look after me."
We should all be so lucky. Happy Birthday Hugues Cuénod!
The World's Oldest Living Tenor Celebrates His 105th Birthday (And He's a Newlywed, No Less!) [playbill arts]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 2:45 PM EST by Andy in Gay Marriage, Music, News, Switzerland | Permalink
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Mr. Augustin enjoys archaeological digs, eh?
Posted by: Perceive | Jun 26, 2007 3:06:52 PM
Heavens! Good for him, especially staying in bed all day. And I thought I liked them older!
Posted by: davefromtampa | Jun 26, 2007 3:20:34 PM
Paul Cameron's head is spinning.
Posted by: DCN | Jun 26, 2007 4:02:54 PM
Cradle robber!
Posted by: peterparker | Jun 26, 2007 4:29:23 PM
Adorable.
Posted by: CF | Jun 26, 2007 4:41:11 PM
He likes 'em young!
He may be one of the oldest gay men alive.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Jun 26, 2007 5:06:20 PM
This is a simply amazing story, wow! Just loved how it was a good idea to establish a civil partnership at his age ... Happy birthday Hugues!
Posted by: SeanR | Jun 26, 2007 6:24:49 PM
Secret to a long life...get a young hottie...or at least way yonger.
Posted by: gottapa | Jun 26, 2007 8:01:29 PM
Is human cloning allowed in Switzerland? I would swear that Augustin is a clone of Sean Connery!
Posted by: Lech | Jun 26, 2007 10:55:39 PM
A very sweet story. And for once a refreshing answer to the "What's your secret to long life?" question....
I didn't do a thing. lol
Posted by: Mark M | Jun 27, 2007 11:47:32 AM
Oh hooray! What a great story.
Posted by: em | Jun 27, 2007 12:03:11 PM