Pati Power Couple Brings Opera Success to Wellington
Wellington Opera's Manon production starring Pasifika power couple Pene Pati and Amina Edris has been a game-changer for the company, completely selling out, including an extra show added due to demand. The opera is estimated to have injected $2.1 million into the regional economy.
The pair, who have been together for 15 years and married for ten, are well-known globally, with Pati's documentary 'Tenor: My Name Is Pati' being one of the highest-grossing documentaries in New Zealand cinemas this year.
Pati praised Wellington Opera for its success, saying it's a 'show of the small guys really killing it in the industry'. The production is also seen as a milestone for opera in New Zealand, with interest generated nationwide after the release of Pati's documentary.
The couple's decision to perform together on stage was a rare opportunity, given their busy schedules. They will next perform Manon in San Francisco, before heading to Prague and Dresden, and eventually returning to Paris.