Samoan Tenor Pene Pati Rises to Opera Stardom

Pati overcame doubts to become one of opera's most-watched new talents.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Tenor Pene Pati, who grew up in Samoa and New Zealand, has emerged as one of opera's most promising young stars. Despite being cautioned as a 20-year-old not to pursue a singing career, Pati has gone on to perform at top opera houses around the world, including recent debuts at the Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Why it matters

Pati's rise to stardom as a Samoan opera singer challenges stereotypes and represents the growing diversity in the classical music world. His success story inspires others from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their passions in the arts.

The details

Pati, now 38, was encouraged to pursue singing by his high school music director in New Zealand. He went on to study at the Wales International Academy of Voice and joined the trio Sol3 Mio with his brother and cousin. After winning a competition in Australia, Pati entered the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program in 2013 and later became an Adler Fellow. He has since made debuts at major opera houses across Europe and North America, including the Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, Royal Opera in London, and the Metropolitan Opera.

  • Pati entered the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program in 2013.
  • Pati became an Adler Fellow with the San Francisco Opera in 2016.
  • 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.
  • Pati replaced Brian Hymel for San Francisco Opera's opening night performance of 'Roméo' in September 2019.

The players

Pene Pati

A 38-year-old Samoan tenor who has emerged as one of opera's most-watched new stars, performing at top opera houses around the world.

Robert Wiremu

Pati's vocal coach who cautioned him as a 20-year-old not to pursue a singing career.

Amina Edris

Pati's wife and occasional recital partner, whom he met during auditions for the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program.

Peter Gelb

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

Raphaël Pichon

The conductor who chose Pati for his first staged performances of Massenet's 'Werther' at the Opéra Comique in Paris.

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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 (Associated Press)

“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 (Associated Press)

“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 (Associated Press)

“He's a tenor with enormous potential.”

— Peter Gelb, Metropolitan Opera General Manager (Associated Press)

“The most important thing about Pene for me is just humanity. It's a man who wants to share, wants to communicate his passion, his music. It's properly unique, how solar, how luminous is this man.”

— Raphaël Pichon, Conductor (Associated Press)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

Pene Pati's rise from a doubted Samoan singer to an acclaimed opera star demonstrates the power of perseverance and the growing diversity in the classical music world. His inspiring story encourages others from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their artistic passions.