In Song: Pene Pati (Full Episode)

It was like growing up in the Von Trapp family from “The Sound of Music:” Performance was simply a part of life for tenor Pene Pati.

For as long as he can remember, he sang. He sang to keep his ancestral stories alive, just as Samoans had done for generations before. He sang to entertain the residents at the nursing home where his father worked. He sang as a condition to being part of the school rugby team. His whole family was bursting with song.

Even his name seemed tailored for the stage: “Pati” means to clap. But when Pati's aspirations turned to opera — a form of musical storytelling that reminded him of his own cultural heritage — he faced an uphill battle. Could an Island boy make it on the world’s greatest opera stages?

That’s the story behind the latest episode of “In Song,” a new video portrait series from San Francisco Opera. Discover the man behind the talent, as Pati invites you into his home in Māngere, New Zealand, for family reunions, laughter and, of course, music.

Featuring performances of “La’u Lupe” ("My Dove") and Paolo Tosti’s “La Serenata,” “In Song” is available now. Learn more about "In Song," winner of the 2022 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Music Video Series and Channel: sfopera.com/insong

Видео In Song: Pene Pati (Full Episode) канала San Francisco Opera