Skip to content
    skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    Listen

    On Air Now

    Classic FM Requests 12pm - 2pm

    Classic FM Requests

    Now Playing

    The Armed Man - Sanctus Karl Jenkins Download 'The Armed Man - Sanctus' on iTunes

    The Armed Man - Sanctus artwork
    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Lifestyle
    • Win
    • Charity
    • Podcasts
    • Events
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Twitter
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Discover Music

    • Discover Music Home
    • Periods & Genres
    • Occasions
    • Mood
    • Instruments
    • Music Theory
    • Learning
    • Humour
    • Women in Music
    • More Classic FM

    Classical hunks: the best-looking composers and musicians

    Facebook share Twitter share

    The classical music world is not short on dashing menfolk - explore the coolest, sharpest and most handsome male composers and musicians from history.

    1. Classical music hunks

      1. Leonard Bernstein

      Just the absolute coolest. Most other composers lazing around topless with a cigarette dangling just-so from their mouths would usually not be a cause for celebration.

    2. Classical music hunks

      2. Franz Liszt

      Check out that pout - the piano genius and original rock star perfected the photo shoot stare before it was even invented.

    3. Arthur Nikisch berlin philharmonic

      3. Arthur Nikisch

      With his stiff-as-heck moustache and impeccable chair positioning, conductor Arthur Nikisch is proof that smoking is cool. (It's not cool really.)

    4. Jonas Kaufmann

      4. Jonas Kaufmann

      Tenor of the moment Jonas Kaufmann is perfectly at home tackling meaty Verdi roles in the opera house, but he's equally happy rocking that "I've just stumbled out of a member's club at 4AM" look, too. Totally pulls it off.

    5. Classical music hunks

      5. Claudio Abbado

      Claudio Abbado there, absolutely nailing the moody look and making an early attempt at geek chic.

    6. Eric Whitacre

      6. Eric Whitacre

      He's not content with being one of the most influential and loved choral composers of his generation. Oh no. Eric Whitacre has to go one better and be a model as well, doesn't he? Not jealous in the slightest...

    7. Frederic Chopin

      7. Frederic Chopin

      Is that a smattering of designer stubble we see, Mr. Chopin?

    8. Charlie Siem

      8. Charlie Siem

      Brace yourselves, everyone: Charlie Siem is here. And he's wearing braces.

    9. classical hunks

      9. José Carreras

      Hola, José.

    10. Classical music hunks

      10. Benjamin Britten

      Believe us, there are far more revealing photos of Benjamin Britten out there on the internet. But this one captures his handsome profile perfectly - and what a cracking suit.

    11. Classical music hunks

      11. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

      If ever the classical music world had its very own matinee idol, it was Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Not only did he possess a fine set of pipes, he also had eyes that made you feel a bit wibbly inside.

    12. Classical music hunks

      12. John Cage

      Rugged, unkempt, grizzly charm abounds when it comes to John Cage. His music was known for its reliance on random order, and he seems to have taken a similar approach to his grooming regime.

    13. Classical music hunks

      13. Johannes Brahms

      He's usually pictured with a fulsome beard taking over the lower half of his face, but early snaps of Brahms show him to be almost a teen idol, no stranger to a natty suit and slicked back hair.

    14. David Garrett Legacy

      14. David Garrett

      He may be staring at his violin as if he's literally never seen one before, but that doesn't dim his dreaminess...

    15. Classical music hunks

      15. Claude Debussy

      Legend of impressionism, goatee pioneer and dapper gent with perfectly-poised cigarette - could Debussy be any more dreamy?

    16. Andreas Ottensamer

      16. Andreas Ottensamer

      Andreas Ottensamer leaning on the hood of a classic car holding a clarinet, as if it was completely normal. Oh well, he can pull it off.

    17. Classical music hunks

      17. Giuseppe Verdi

      He's like Viggo Mortensen in impeccably pressed trousers - Verdi has clearly done a spot of modelling before. Look how much the camera loves him!

    Facebook share Twitter share

    Latest features

    See more Latest features

    Musician vocal ranges

    We looked at the vocal ranges of these iconic singers — and they’re really impressive

    19 hours ago

    Kalush Orchestra represents Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

    Eurovision winner, Kalush Orchestra, brings traditional Ukrainian woodwind into the 21st century

    1 day ago

    El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    The Argentinian opera house that became the world’s most enchanting book shop

    3 days ago

    ‘Invalid piano’ played by bedridden invalids is the bizarre invention of the day

    This piano for bedridden musicians was a real-life 1930s invention

    3 days ago

    Pianist Lionel Yu creates genius dubstep remix of Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata

    Pianist creates genius dubstep remix of Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata, in front of live audience

    4 days ago

    Beethoven

    More From ClassicFM

    Eurovision Konstrakta and Allegri Miserere

    Serbia’s viral Eurovision song featured Allegri’s Miserere, and you might have missed it...

    Allegri

    This week’s on-air highlights – including Album of the Week and Drive Discovery

    This week’s on-air highlights – including Album of theThis week’s on-air highlights – including Album of the Week and Drive Discovery

    Classic FM Revision playlist

    Revision music: the ultimate classical studying playlist

    Destroyed statue of Native American ballerina, sold for $250, will be restored after community outcry

    Native American ballerina statue, destroyed and sold by thieves for $250, to be restored

    Alexander Toradze had been performing with the Vancouver Symphony when he suffered heart failure

    Concert pianist who suffered heart failure during a concerto performance, has died

    Loudest recorded sound in history: 1883 volcanic eruption on Krakatoa

    The loudest recorded sound in history literally sent shockwaves around the world

    Browse by

    See more Browse by

    Periods & genres

    Occasions

    Moods

    Instruments

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • Listen to Global Player
    • Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM
    • Christmas Songs
    • Music for Pets
    • Quizzes
    • Handel
    • Debussy
    • Music theory
    • Instruments
    • Brahms
    • Vivaldi
    • Bach
    • Tchaikovsky
    • Chopin
    • Andrea Bocelli
    • Beethoven
    • Mozart
    • Best classical music
    • Classic FM Live
    • Classic FM Requests
    • Best pianists
    • Harry Potter music
    • Saturday Night at the Movies
    • Star Wars soundtrack
    • Composer or pasta
    • Music for Studying
    • Best violinists
    • Classical music tearjerkers
    • Relaxing classical

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise
    • Global Jobs

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Twitter
    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2022
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager