‘Kiwified’ opera set to sweep the stage
Opera singer Pene Pati is coming to Wellington for a triple whammy.
The Sol3 Mio singer is performing his first opera in the capital, it’s his first time in the Opera House and his first time working with New Zealand Opera.
‘‘I have a chuckle to myself – it’s taken like 10 years for me to perform with New Zealand Opera,’’ he said.
Pati and his wife Amina Edris have been in Wellington for the past week or so, prepping for their performance in The Elixir Of Love.
Adding another first to the list, it’s the first time the couple have starred opposite each other in lead roles.
‘‘This is the first time we’re actually each other’s love interests,’’ Pati said.
But that didn’t necessarily make it easier to act. ‘It’s a different vibe.
‘‘Everyone expects when you get to the kissing scene, you don’t need to act, but on stage I’m so weirded out because you’re in a production and thousands of people are watching.’’
The Elixir Of Love follows hopeless romantic Nemorino as he pursues his love interest, Adina. Determined to win her, despite her having an offer of marriage from another man, Nemorino buys an elixir of love from a salesman.
‘‘It’s relatable and it’s funny and it’s light-hearted,’’ Pati said.
The opera had been ‘‘kiwified’’ for New Zealand audiences, with Kiwi slang included in the subtitles and Pati’s character is a farmer, shearing sheep.
Pati said it was the perfect opera for people who had never seen one before. When he performed The Elixir of Love in Auckland earlier this year, he said it had been compared to director Takia Waititi’s style – funny and immensely entertaining.
He said people often thought of opera as very dramatic and difficult to get into – but that wasn’t the case.
‘‘I know what it’s like being on the other side.’’
When he went to his first opera in 2008, La Boheme, he wasn’t sure what he had gotten himself into.
‘‘I was in my first year of uni and I remember going to see it. I didn’t even know they sang the whole thing. I was like, when will they stop singing and start talking?’’
But by the end of it, he was converted and even had to dry away a tear or two – but that may have just been some dust in his eye, he said.
Ahead of the show’s run, Pati said he was keen to see how Wellingtonians reacted to the opera.
‘‘I feel – and I’m sure Aucklanders will hate me for saying this – it’s much more cultured. Arts have thrived here and I want to see how well it goes here.’’
The Elixir Of Love is playing at the Opera House June 23, 26, 28 and 30. Tickets and details through nzopera.com. @MarieJeffriesNZ @MasonTheKiwi @Sewphist
I’ve got lots of layers on, so I thought ‘‘yay! I won’t need my jacket, I can get some vitamin D.’’ I have retreated from the waterfront to Lambton Square for a hot lunch.
@MorganGodfery @meganjwhelan @templetonf