Josh Piterman’s new EP “Loving You” is a product of his lockdown experience and time on London’s West End, and each song a brilliant classical-crossover recreation of his favourite songs. “Both Steve Anderson (producer) and I were very particular about the song selection and road tested a number of different tracks before choosing these four and in doing so found some beautiful musical nuances, which seamlessly transition between soaring and powerful to delicate and fragile. I also wanted to express multiple elements of the notion of love. From magical to logical, exhilarating to heartbreaking, internal to external and finite to infinite.”
The first single Caruso (already available on all music streaming platform), is one of the most successful Italian pop songs of all time, which has also been covered by a diverse array of classical and pop artists. Josh’s version brings a cinematic quality to the piece, which explores his vocal and emotional range well.
Classical Crossover Magazine columnist, Paul Tabone (Classical Crossover & West End Star) caught up with his colleague Jost Piterman about the new EP, Phantom of the Opera Australia production and career to date.
Paul Ettore Tabone: How does it feel to have landed the title role in this iconic new production of ‘The Phantom of The Opera’ in Australia?
Josh Piterman: I feel so many things but mainly excited & humbled. This role is seminal to what musical theatre means to me. “Phantom” is just one of shows (the other being “Les Miserables”) that made me want to pursue musical theatre. It was the first professional show I auditioned for after graduating from university in 2006. It’s a show that I listened to time and time again. As a young Aussie performer, with a classical musical theatre voice, I’ve always been inspired by the likes of Anthony Warlow and Rob Guest. Men who gave so much of themselves to this role. So, to have the opportunity to share my interpretation of it with Australian audiences is about as special as it comes.
Paul Ettore Tabone: Were you ever inspired by great singers?
Josh Piterman: Absolutely! How could I not be? There are so many, it’s hard to know where to start. I mentioned Anthony Warlow and obviously his golden voice, beautiful phrasing and characterisation has always been mesmerising. Then there are many great tenors as well. Pavarotti (for example) for his ease, purity and magic as one of the greatest tenor voices that has ever lived (in my opinion). Mario Lanza – I’ve always adored as well as Franco Corelli, Juan Diego Florez, Andrea Bocelli and of course John Farnham (cos it’d be totally sacrilegious as an Aussie not to include him). But so many female pop artists too. Tracy Chapman – I’ve always adored. Stevie Nicks. KD Lang. I could go on. They are all people whose voices transcend tone, gymnastics or range. They go to another world. Something that makes you feel deeply. Thats what I love and what I aim to share with people.
Paul Ettore Tabone: What are some of the things you’d like to leave as your own legacy?
Josh Piterman: That I always worked hard, was persistent and shared a deep love for my craft. That I listened to people. That I didn’t bitch or moan. That I stayed in my lane, that I was kind, considerate, compassionate, fun, focused and cared deeply for people.
Paul Ettore Tabone: Although your time was cut short in London, what was it like performing the title role of ‘The Phantom’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre?
Josh Piterman: More special than I could’ve dreamed of – that’s because of the people. The role is extraordinary. The moments onstage are incredible. His journey as a man and those songs are just fantastic to sing. But the company was what made it extra special for me. So many great people. Wonderful lifelong friends.
Paul Ettore Tabone: What is the proudest moment of your life so far and why?
Josh Piterman: That’s just too hard to answer. There are so many moments that bring me pride. From seeing my sister sharing her art and becoming a mother and watching her thrive, my parents’ many successes, my friends thriving in their lives and careers, and my own self growth and career successes. I wish I could pinpoint one, but pride is something I feel for myself and others constantly.
Paul Ettore Tabone: What is something our readers don’t know about you? A secret pastime, hobby or passion?
Josh Piterman: I used to play tennis about 5-6 times a week and trained a couple of times with the Victorian Institute of Sport. I can still hold my own on the court!
Paul Ettore Tabone: Do you have any dream roles that you would like to take off your bucket list?
Josh Piterman: Jean Valjean, Les Miserables.
Paul Ettore Tabone: What inspired you to release this new recorded music? What can we expect on the EP.
Josh Piterman: The desire to create, to explore the crossover genre and to express by bringing more cinematic sounds to the genre rather than a purely pop or classical sound. I love the process of making music and of singing covers in a new way. Putting my own spin on them. I’m extremely grateful to work with well-known producer Steve Anderson on this EP. He has brought out so much magic in this music. The man is a genius.
Paul Ettore Tabone: What songs are going to be on the EP and why are they special to you?
- Caruso – Lucio Dalla
- Fix You- Coldplay
- Cinema Paradiso- Ennio Morricone
- I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You- James Horner
Josh Piterman: These songs are all special to me because they all tell unique love stories. From bliss, to pain, heartbreak, to self-acceptance, to infinite romance in any space or time. As a romantic at heart, thematically they tap into some very personal experiences for me and musically they all share a very cinematic sound which I adore.
Paul Ettore Tabone: Do you consider yourself a classical singer who likes to sing contemporary music, or vice versa? Tell us about why you choose this career as a recording artist in a classical crossover genre and why.
Josh Piterman: Definitely a classical singer who sing contemporary. But I’ve always felt like I sit somewhere in the middle. Not fully opera and certainly not fully pop. It’s all a spectrum to me, a creative experiment and an experience. I like to glide between sounds and see where my voice can go. Even if that can be scary at times. I feel like it was just inevitable that I found myself in classical crossover. I’ve been obsessed with the genre for 20 plus years… like literally obsessed! From the Three Tenors to Josh Groban, Bocelli, Il Divo, Alessandro Safina, Amici Forever and more. As a young singer I sang along to all the songs and artists relentlessly and then I joined The Ten Tenors at age 22. I think I was just destined to explore this genre and I love it so much.
Paul Ettore Tabone: Are you planning on another studio album?
Josh Piterman: Oooooh yes of course!! Stay tuned folks.
Paul Ettore Tabone: What advice would you give any young artist looking to make it in the music theatre in Australia and internationally?
Josh Piterman: Stay in your lane. Don’t compare yourself with others. Listen. Work on yourself as much as you work on your craft and your technique. The intrinsic stuff, not just the things people see externally. What makes you unique and special is within you. When you find that, understand it, tap into it and trust it, you become infinitely more powerful as an artist.
Paul Ettore Tabone: What does the future hold for Josh Piterman?
Josh Piterman: Well who knows. I certainly don’t. Haha!! I have big dreams and wishes for many more roles in musical theatre, more concerts, more recording and hopefully I get to be a dad one day too!