Pene Pati, a tenor born on the impoverished South Pacific island of Upolu, has risen to perform on the world's most prestigious opera stages, including La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera. His journey from a childhood of hardship to international stardom is the subject of a new documentary, Tenor: My Name is Pati, premiering at the Sydney Film Festival.
Pati, who specialises in lyrical repertoire and bel canto, is booked out until 2029. Last month, he received the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres, France's highest arts honour. His voice has been described as 'full of sunshine' and compared to a 'Pavarotti rebirth' by conductor Marc Minkowski.
Despite early discouragement, including a singing coach who told him 'there are no Polynesian singers', Pati persisted. He recalls being told, 'this is not for you, you should stop', but chose to prove his critics wrong. His success, he believes, stems from the emotion in his voice, which audiences can feel.
Pati was born in Samoa in 1987 and moved to Auckland, New Zealand, at age three. His parents, both nurses, struggled financially, and he sometimes went to school without food. From age seven, he and his siblings sang at a retirement home for four hours every Friday night for 15 years, often providing the last music residents heard.
His father, Pene Pati Sr, was strict, and the tenor acknowledges a 'fine line between discipline and domestic violence' in the documentary. However, Pati harbours no resentment, saying, 'I wanted him to see this and feel forgiven.' The film shows the family returning to their humble home in Samoa, where Pati still mows the lawn and washes dishes.
Pati's talent was first recognised by music teacher Terence Maskell when he was in year nine. Maskell saw potential in the young rugby player and encouraged his operatic pursuits. Today, Pati is a commanding presence on stage, a world away from his island origins, yet carrying the warmth of the Pacific in his voice.
