After four years of performances in the West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic The Phantom of the Opera, as Ubaldo Piangi, the much-hailed tenor, PAUL ETTORE TABONE has now released his first studio album, This Is Me.
Dubbed today as ‘Australia’s Andrea Bocelli’, Paul has been on a fascinating musical journey, from growing up in a small town, on a sugarcane and pumpkin farm in North Queensland, Australia to becoming a leading opera and musical theatre tenor.
He fell in love with singing at an early age and followed his dream to study music, graduating from CQ University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music Theatre degree. As the intrigue in his tenor voice spread, Paul was invited by Signora Nicoletta Mantovani (mentor and wife of the late renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti) to perform as one of four tenors at the world-renowned Verona Arena. He shared the stage with operatic icons Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Jose Carraras and Ambrogio Maestri, performing to an audience of 20,000 in memoriam to Luciano Pavarotti for the 100th year birthday celebration of the Arena.
It was at the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation that Paul met music producer, arranger and composer, Robin A Smith. Their working relationship has continued to blossom over the years with them working together on this album.
Here Paul continues Musical Theatre Review’s interview series: Five Questions With…
How has life treated you during lockdown?
I feel like I have used the time during lockdown wisely. Having been very lucky and enjoyed a wonderful time in theatre and touring the world, this lockdown has given me, like so many others, time to pause, rest, reflect… and throw myself feet-first into creating this new album, something I am really proud of.
The last year has been tough for so many artists, it seems that you have channelled your creativity into recording your first studio album, This Is Me. How did that opportunity come about?
I have wanted to make an album for many years. Being in The Phantom of the Opera was vocally very challenging and I had to be weary of overusing my voice, putting thoughts of an album on pause. So with lockdown and the closure of theatreland, I channelled myself into the album. I’ve had such a great time doing it and can’t wait to share it with the world.
This is a very personal project for you. With the music you have chosen, you wish to pay tribute to your home nation and your musical influences. Can you tell us more?
Each song of this album mean something special to me. I have songs that represent who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I have been. For example ‘I am Australian’ is about inclusion and I think it is pivotal that we recognise the traditional owners of the Australian nation as well as the immigrants that have made a nation great. Hence why I have translated part of this song into aboriginal to pay respect to the Wirandjuri people. Other artists with a strong influence in my career, reflected in this album, include the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Alfie Boe. I also translated ‘Heaven’ by Bryan Adams into Italian, which was my mum and dad’s wedding song.
You appeared in The Phantom of the Opera for four years. Can you describe what the experience meant to you? Would you like to return to musical theatre in the future?
In over 1,200 performances of The Phantom of the Opera, I sang over 6,000 Top C’s and had the most incredible time. It’s a truly wonderful show and fellow cast and company are now some of my nearest and dearest lifelong friends. After so long with the show, I had already decided to move on and explore new adventures. I am excited for every challenge and have always been a man who says yes to any opportunity: film, music, you name it. As for musical theatre, it always holds a special place in my heart and I certainly wouldn’t say no to returning.
What has been a highlight in your stage career so far and what are you doing to keep your spirits up as we hopefully head for a new normal with performing live being possible once again?
I have loved performing in musicals in Australia, across Europe and in the West End and other notable career highlights include being asked by Nicoletta Mantovani (Luciano Pavarotti’s wife) to sing at the Arena di Verona in a tribute concert to her late husband. Music is what I always turn to to keep my spirits alive and it’s needed in times such as these in so many ways. If my album can help others to keep their spirits up, that’s a job well done.
- Paul Ettore Tabone’s debut album This Is Me is out on 6 March 2021. The single ‘Heaven’ is available now (www.paultabone.com)
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