The Italian Tenors were in Perth recently to indulge our senses with the beauty of opera, through Italian pop songs and filling The Astor Theatre in Mt Lawley with their powerful and passionate voices.
Their support act was Perth trained opera singer Jeremy Ryan. Walking out on stage, he looked like any young executive ambling down St George’s Terrace. Launching into his first song is where the similarity ended. Jeremy has appeared on Australia’s The Voice and sings opera with passion and ease. He was well received and his choice as opening act was an appropriate prelude to the evening ahead.
Amidst much excitement and expectation, The Italian Tenors appeared. They were accompanied by their own backing band made up of local and eastern states musicians with two on guitars, two on keyboards and a drummer. It was good to see legendary Perth guitarist Ray Walker, on stage.
Mirko Provini, Sabino Gaita and Evans Tonon are three Italian trained opera singers who joined forces in 2011 to promote classical Italian pop music as The Italian Tenors.
They opened their set with the ever popular Time to Say Goodbye (Con Te Partirò). An unusual choice to begin a concert until they explained that Con Te Partirò literally translated means “I will travel with you” and that’s exactly what The Italian Tenors did. They took the audience on a journey through Italy, from Turin in the north, down through Rome, Naples and to Sicily in the south. Metaphorically, we ate Fettucine to Arrivederci Roma and Pasta Fazool to That’s, Amore. Their rendition of The Godfather (Speak Softly Love) and You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, sung in Italian, demonstrated the breadth of their repertoire.
The Astor Theatre created an ambience of intimacy where one felt a personal connection to the tenors so much so that you could almost feel transported to a piazza in a hilltop village in Italy surrounded by all things Italian.
The Italian Tenors are cover artists of professional and musical talent. Their vocal power and intensity had the audience applauding for more as they harmonised with precision and perfect vocal pitch. The humorous banter between themselves and the audience kept the show light hearted and energised. The audience was not disappointed and were treated to two encores. The final song, Hallelujah receiving a standing ovation.
The delightful end to an entertaining and enjoyable evening was to leave the theatre and find The Italian Tenors outside on the pavement having selfies taken with members of the audience.
Viva la vita!
Clare Kat
