From a closed West End theatre stage of lockdown to the recording studio, ‘This is Me’ Paul Ettore Tabone’s new album is crafted from the heart. From 4 years on the stage of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, in the role of Ubaldo Piangi, tenor, Paul Ettore Tabone is about to release his first album, ‘This Is Me’.
‘In the shadow of lock-down and theatre closure I missed singing, performance and audiences – and for me, this became a time to reflect on my journey and the burning need to get on and make my first album, and re-popularise this fabulous art form.’
Paul Tabone, November 2020
From a small town, on a sugarcane & pumpkin farm in the tip of Far North Queensland (Australia) to a leading tenor opera & musical theatre singer is the stuff of fantasy and dreams, but that is the story of Paul Ettore Tabone.
He fell in love with singing at the age of 6 and followed his dream to study music, graduating from CQUniversity in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music Theatre degree. Since then he has been in huge demand – and has been dubbed, ‘Australia’s answer to Andrea Bocelli’.
Paul says, “I loved opera from the very first moment I heard it – and as a small boy couldn’t understand why everyone around me didn’t share that love.”
At 28, Paul was chosen by Signora Nicoletta Mantovani (wife of the late renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti), to perform as one of four tenors at the world renowned, Arena in Verona, sharing the stage with operatic icons, Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Jose Carraras and Ambrogio Maestri to an audience of 20,000, in memoriam to Luciano Pavarotti for the 100th year birthday celebration of the Arena in Verona. It was here in 2014 at the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation that Paul met music producer/arranger/ composer, Robin A Smith who is working with him on the album.
Robin said, “Paul has a beautifully warm and rounded tone and is an incredibly versatile singer. He can cover all material from Bocelli and Pavarotti to high opera; Neapolitan songs, and his Caruso is formidable. His style is as original as it is eclectic – a classical crossover, luscious and rich,
reflected perfectly in the songs he has chosen for this album.”
‘Every song in the album is special to me and reflects who I am and where I come from and the people and places that matter to me. I’ve lived in Italy and UK and sang all over the world, but I’m close to my roots and have a deep love and respect for the land, the earth and my heritage, Australia’s heritage. It’s important my album reflects this.’
Paul Tabone, November 2020
With the help of Wirandjuri Soprano/Composer, Shauntai Batzke, Paul had part of the song, ‘I am Australian’ translated into an Aboriginal language to pay respect to the Wirandjuri people, the first people of his nation, and he continues the song in Italian, honouring his own family and all the Italians who have made Australia their home. He sings the song performed at his own parents wedding – a gift for them and a homage to Pavarotti and he sings songs he loves, with a passion he hopes to share with people who may never go and watch opera, but who will be inspired by the joy and heart.
More about Paul’s Career:
- Duca di Mantova – Rigoletto (G. VERDI) – National Opera Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.
- Tribute concert for Luciano Pavarotti, New York City Centre, Broadway – organised by the Foundation
- Lead roles in opera around the world including Opera National, Bucharest, Teatro Del Giglio, Lucca, Italy, Teatro Carlo Felice, Genova, Italy.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, (Liebe Stirbt Nie – Phantom II) Love Never Dies – Hamburg’s Operettenhaus.
TV credits include:
- Love Never Dies – Universal Studios International
Theatre credits include:
- The Dirty Apple (Opera Queensland)
- Love Never Dies (RUG Australia),
- 100th Birthday Celebration (Arena Verona, Italy)
- West Side Story (Carlo Felice Theatre, Italy),
- Madama Butterfly (Teatro Del Giglio, Lucca, Italy)
- Rigoletto (Opera Nationala Bucaresti, Romania)
- Love Never Dies (Stage Entertainment)
- The Phantom of The Opera (Cameron Mackintosh LTD)
Other credits:
- Regular Performances at Buckingham Palace/Scottish Guard Vocalist,
About Producer, Robin A Smith
Robin has composed and arranged for such artists as Jose Carreras; Andrea Bocelli; Luciano Pavarotti, Robert Alagna; Michael Crawford; Cher; Enrique; Bacharach; and produced albums for Tommy Emmanuel and Margaret Urlich. He lived in Noosa for several years and understands Paul’s love for Australia and his wish to create and translate this love in, ‘This is Me’.
The Tenor from Oz’ debut album “This is me” will be released for pre-sale on February 15, 2021 together with the video clip of the track “Paradiso” (an arrangement of Bryan Adams “Heaven”). Pre-Sale copies will be personally signed and include a free gift. Copies can be pre-ordered at www.paultabone.com and will be available for worldwide purchase on May 2, 2020 via all online music platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music and Itunes.
FOR ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Australia
Jayne Ambrose
Ambrose Management Sydney
TEL (+61) 02 8383 9500 (+61) 0415 221 470
EMAIL jayne@ambrosemanagement.com
FOR ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: United Kingdom
Michelle Blair
Michelle Blair Management
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