I love documentaries that come out of nowhere and cover subjects I never thought I’d care about. Rebecca Tansley’s film, Tenor: My Name Is Pati, is the story of one of this generation’s greatest opera tenors, and I bet you don’t know who he is…or where he came from.
The man I speak of is Pene Pati, the oldest son of a Samoan family. His father ran a strict household, but it was also musical. On Sundays, Pene was forced into the church choir and then spent years singing for seniors at the retirement home where his parents worked as nurses. Alongside him was his brother, Amitai, who stood by an uncomfortable Pene with courage and support. Blessed with a rich, clear tenor voice, Pene was pulled off the school’s rugby team to perform in HMS Pinafore, and people started to notice.
At university, Pene saw a production of La Bohème and, without understanding a word of Italian, he was hooked; singing became the dream he would chase. In 2009, he won New Zealand’s national aria contest, which earned him a place at music school in Cardiff, Wales. Needing to raise money for second-year tuition, Pene teamed up with Amitai and their close friend and baritone, Moses Mackay, to form Sol3 Mio, a trio that mixes opera, pop, and Samoan music.
Back home, their albums went platinum. But success came with a catch: they raised enough money for Amitai and Moses, but not for Pene. His Samoan values of humility and putting others first meant he stayed home while his brother and friend took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Pene’s decision would prove costly, as it was seen as a sign of weakness, proof that he didn’t really have the passion to pursue opera…or so they say.
Pene Pati, wearing a white T-shirt and an orange lavalava, stands on a porch in Samoa in Tenor: My Name Is Pati.
“At university, Pene saw a production of La Bohème and, without understanding a word of Italian, he was hooked; singing became the dream he would chase.”
When I hit play, I remember thinking this was going to be a long one, but then Pene Pati began to sing. His beautiful tenor voice stopped me in my tracks, and I could not help but watch his story unfold.
His deep Samoan roots are present from frame one. To him, family and culture are everything, and he can carry his culture anywhere in the world. He’s a large man with a gentle soul, always putting everyone else before himself to a fault. Finding fame would not be easy, as the Pati family was poor by Western standards. His first job at college was barely a job. He became a self-taught sound engineer for the school, which couldn’t afford to pay him.
Pene’s hard work and dedication would ultimately pay off. His talent was irresistible to anyone with an operatic background. His infectious smile is irresistible. Which says a lot about the idea of merit. Pene isn’t where he is because of his Samoan heritage or because the opera community needs to diversify. Pene is where he’s at because of genuine talent…he’s a great tenor. Period. The fact that he got into the San Francisco Opera based on a single audition says it all.
The reason to watch Tenor: My Name Is Pati is the man himself, Pene Pati. He’s good-hearted, a true example of how far talent and being an exceptional human being can take you. Better yet, if you’re not an opera fan now…you might become one by the time the credits roll.
For screening information, visit the Tenor: My Name Is Pati official website.
"…He’s a large man with a gentle soul..."
