30 August 2027, 7:30 p.m.

Pene Pati became the first tenor from Samoa to grace the world's most prestigious opera stages, including the Opéra national de Paris, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Critics quickly recognized in his voice qualities reminiscent of the legendary Luciano Pavarotti. Pene's "sun-filled voice" (Le Monde) is instantly recognizable, while his warmth and engaging stage presence have won over audiences around the globe. Alongside operatic roles such as Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème and the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's Rigoletto, Pene has also established himself as an outstanding interpreter of the Neapolitan song repertoire.

These songs are inseparably linked with Naples in southern Italy, whose people are said to have "music and dance in their blood." Love songs and serenades sung in the Neapolitan dialect rank among the finest expressions of Italy's musical heritage. Their repertoire extends far beyond beloved classics such as 'O sole mio and Funiculì, Funiculà to include dozens of equally captivating melodies.

For Pene Pati, it was the folk songs of his Samoan childhood that first drew him to this repertoire. "I approached Neapolitan songs in much the same way as the traditional songs of my Samoan heritage. Whether they come from Samoa or Naples, they all tell stories of love, family and home," says the tenor. His aim was not simply to present a virtuosic vocal recital, but to rediscover the original spirit of the Neapolitan song—its natural inflection, atmosphere and emotional authenticity—and to come as close as possible to the way these melodies once resonated through the streets, harbours and evening serenades of Naples.

To bring this vision to life, he chose the internationally acclaimed ensemble Il Pomo d'Oro together with the Neapolitan composer, conductor and guitarist Antonello Paliotti. Their programme Serenata a Napoli, first recorded for Warner Classics and now presented on an international concert tour, has been met with outstanding critical acclaim. Eight exceptional instrumentalists provide a refined accompaniment to Pene's velvety tenor, highlighting his remarkable gift for telling the story of each song with effortless grace, tenderness and profound emotional depth.

Join Pene Pati on a journey into the world of Neapolitan song, where passion, melancholy, tenderness and the Mediterranean joy of life come together in unforgettable melodies. Every Pene Pati concert is unique — each is an experience to cherish.