Pene Pati: From Doubted Samoan Singer to Opera's Rising Global Star

Tenor Pene Pati has emerged from a childhood spanning Samoa and New Zealand to become one of opera's most-watched new stars, defying early skepticism about his Polynesian background in the classical music world. Now 38 and booked by top opera houses through 2030, Pati's journey represents a remarkable ascent in an industry where diversity has historically been limited.

Early Doubts and Defiant Motivation

Pati was cautioned as a 20-year-old not to pursue a singing career, an unusual occupation for a Samoan who grew up in New Zealand. "Lots of people want to become a singer because they want the lifestyle," the tenor recalled. "Whereas for me, I did it out of spite, to be honest. It was somebody who said: 'Don't be angry if you don't cut it as an opera singer because as a Polynesian, there are not many opera singers.' And that part of me thought: How do I prove him wrong?"

He laughed as he recalled vocal coach Robert Wiremu's wariness. "He didn't say I wasn't a good singer," Pati explained. "He just said: 'Don't be afraid if you don't make it.'" This early doubt became fuel for his determination to succeed against the odds.

Rapid Rise Through Opera's Ranks

Pati is among the emerging tenors in a distinguished group that includes Xabier Anduaga, SeokJong Baek, Freddie De Tommaso, Ismael Jordi and Jonathan Tetelman. His career trajectory accelerated dramatically with several key breakthroughs:

He impressed last month in his first staged performances of Massenet's "Werther" at Paris' Opéra Comique
His biggest break came at the Comique on December 13, 2021, when he replaced Jean-François Borras for the opening of Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette" with just a few hours' notice
He had sung Alfredo in Verdi's "La Traviata" the previous day in Amsterdam and quickly took a train to Paris for the emergency substitution

"It was the springboard for Europe and for America," Pati said of that pivotal performance.

Technical Brilliance and Emotional Connection

Pati's Paris castmates timed his held high C at an impressive 19 seconds, according to mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet. "The moment he set a foot on stage, it became electric," said Charvet, who sang her first staged Charlotte with Pati last month. "When he's around, it's like the sun is here suddenly."

Ted Huffman, the director, took advantage of the intimate house and placed Pati near the lip of the stage, where viewers could focus on his facial expressions. "He's such a warm person in real life and that openness, it translates to something very honest with the audience," Huffman observed.

International Background and Training

Born in Samoa to parents who are both registered nurses, Pati moved to New Zealand with his family when he was between one and two years old. "That also gave me the motivation to leave New Zealand because I thought if they could do it, then now I have to do it," he reflected on his parents' journey.

His musical path developed through several key stages:

Singing in an Auckland choir while initially planning a computer science career
Encouragement from Terence Maskell, his choir and high school music director
Studies at The University of Auckland and winning a music competition in Australia
Moving to Cardiff in 2011 to study at the Wales International Academy of Voice at tenor Dennis O'Neill's behest
Forming the trio Sol3 Mio with his brother, tenor Amitai Pati, and cousin, baritone Moses Mackay

Career Milestones and Personal Connections

Pati entered the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program in 2013. During auditions for the program in New Zealand, he met soprano Amina Edris, his future wife and occasional recital partner. His first words to her were telling: "You're the only one that's better than me."

His career advanced significantly through several achievements:

Placing second among men in the 2015 Operalia competition
Advancing to the San Francisco Opera's Adler Fellows program in 2016 along with Edris
Making his San Francisco Opera debut as the Duke in Verdi's "Rigoletto" in 2017
Singing his first European opera performance at Bordeaux, France, in 2018
Replacing Brian Hymel for San Francisco's opening-night performance of "Roméo" in September 2019

Global Presence and Future Engagements

Pati has since debuted at prestigious venues including the Paris Opera (2021), the Vienna State Opera (2022), London's Royal Opera (2024), and both New York's Metropolitan Opera and Munich's Bavarian State Opera (both 2025). The tenor, who now lives in Paris, returns to the Met for Puccini's "La Bohème" next season.

"He's a tenor with enormous potential," Met general manager Peter Gelb noted.

Strategic Role Selection and Mentorship

Pati approaches his career with careful consideration of role selection. He sings Edgardo in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" at Toulouse, France, starting February 20, a role he repeats for his debut at Milan's Teatro alla Scala this summer. He performs the title role in Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito" for his Zurich Opera debut in late April and returns home to New Zealand in August for Chevalier des Grieux in Massenet's "Manon."

"I don't want to jump the gun," he explained. "Once you go to all the heavier stuff it's hard to come back."

Beyond his performances, Pati demonstrates commitment to nurturing the next generation. After the final "Werther" performance, he invited the children's chorus to his dressing room and gave them cake. Between performances at New York's Park Avenue Armory last September, he held a workshop, singing and answering questions for 14-to-18-year-old vocal students from Talent Unlimited High School.

Conductor Raphaël Pichon summarized Pati's essence: "The most important thing about Pene for me is just humanity. It's a man who wants to share, wants to communicate his passion, his music. It's properly unique, how solar, how luminous is this man."

From early doubts about his Polynesian background in opera to becoming one of the most sought-after tenors of his generation, Pene Pati's journey continues to inspire both audiences and aspiring singers worldwide.