Source: Radio New Zealand
Pene Pati was “totally blown away” when he found out he was getting the French Arts Knighthood.
Speaking from Zurich, the Samoan-born opera star told Checkpoint it was an emotional moment, especially “coming from somewhere that doesn’t speak French”, let alone do as much opera.
Another high note for Samoan kiwi opera singer Pene Pati
Checkpoint
He recalled his determination when first arriving in France, to learn the language and try “serve their music” as much as he would want someone to serve his own.
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“It just felt like they were looking at me saying, you know, ‘what great work Pene, you deserve this’.”
Pene Pati as Duke of Mantua at the New York Metropolitan Opera rehearsal for Rigoletto on 3 January, 2025.
New York Metropolitan Opera / Jennifer Taylor
He gave his acceptance speech in French.
“I was nervous as hell, and I thought, you know what, there’s no moment [better] than now.”
Pati, alongside his brother Amitai, has been part of the recent documentary Tenor: My Name Is Pati.
Amitai Pati and Pene Pati.
Minerva Productions
Receiving the award felt especially like an honour given past recipients included Tina Turner and David Bowie, as well as Kiwis Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Sir Peter Jackson.
Pati wore the white gold medal on his lapel with pride and joy.
“I just wear it around the house for now, much to the disdain of my wife… the guys at the local bakery are like ‘what’s that? you’ve been wearing that everyday’.”
Having spent this month performing in Zurich, Pati said he was looking forward to coming back to New Zealand in August.
The opera star is set to perform alongside Kiwi-Egyptian soprano Amina Edris in Wellington’s Manon.
Their next stop after Wellington was San Francisco then Dresden and Berlin.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand