Samoan Tenor Pene Pati Rises to Opera Stardom

The 38-year-old singer overcame doubts to become one of opera's most-watched new talents.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Pene Pati, a Samoan tenor from New Zealand, has risen to become one of opera's most promising young stars, despite being cautioned as a 20-year-old not to pursue a singing career. Pati, now 38, has been booked by top opera houses through 2030 and has impressed audiences with his powerful voice and stage presence. He has performed leading roles at prestigious venues like the Paris Opéra Comique, Vienna State Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Why it matters

Pati's success story challenges the notion that opera is an inaccessible art form for those from non-traditional backgrounds. His rise to stardom as a Samoan singer demonstrates the growing diversity in the opera world and the opportunities available for talented performers from underrepresented communities.

The details

Pati was encouraged to pursue singing by his high school music director, despite being warned by a vocal coach that he may not succeed as a Polynesian opera singer. Undeterred, Pati moved to Cardiff, Wales to study at the Wales International Academy of Voice and later joined the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program. He has since made his debuts at major opera houses around the world, including the Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.

  • Pati moved to New Zealand with his family as a young child, between the ages of 1 and 2.
  • In 2011, Pati moved to Cardiff, Wales to study at the Wales International Academy of Voice.
  • Pati entered the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program in 2013.
  • Pati made his San Francisco Opera debut as the Duke in Verdi's 'Rigoletto' in 2017.
  • Pati made his European opera debut in Bordeaux, France in 2018.

The players

Pene Pati

A 38-year-old Samoan tenor from New Zealand who has risen to become one of opera's most promising young stars, performing at prestigious venues around the world.

Robert Wiremu

Pati's vocal coach who cautioned him as a 20-year-old not to pursue a singing career, citing the challenges Pati might face as a Polynesian opera singer.

Terence Maskell

Pati's choir and high school music director who encouraged him to pursue piano and singing.

Amina Edris

Pati's wife, who is also a soprano, and occasional recital partner.

Peter Gelb

The general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, who said Pati has "enormous potential."

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What they’re saying

“Lots of people want to become a singer because they want the lifestyle. 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?”

— Pene Pati (WRAL)

“He didn't say I wasn't a good singer. He just said: `Don't be afraid if you don't make it.'”

— Pene Pati (WRAL)

“The moment he set a foot on stage, it became electric. When he's around, it's like the sun is here suddenly.”

— Adèle Charvet, Mezzo-soprano (WRAL)

“He's such a warm person in real life and that openness, it translates to something very honest with the audience. Without planning this we went down a quite extreme path with the character in the way he went towards these inward explosions rather than the outward ones.”

— Ted Huffman, Director (WRAL)

“He's a tenor with enormous potential.”

— Peter Gelb, Metropolitan Opera General Manager (WRAL)

What’s next

Pati will return to the Metropolitan Opera next season to perform in Puccini's 'La Bohème'.

The takeaway

Pene Pati's remarkable rise to opera stardom, despite being discouraged from pursuing a singing career, demonstrates the growing diversity and opportunity in the opera world. His success story inspires hope and challenges perceptions about who can achieve success in this art form.