Paul Ettore Tabone is known as The Tenor From Oz. He has performed on stage in opera and musical theatre roles and recently released his debut crossover album, ” This is Me.”
Natasha Barbieri: Tell our readers a little bit about the special moments of your childhood?
I think the most special moment of my childhood was growing up on a sugar cane and pumpkin farm. Every time Luciano Pavarotti came on TV I was completely fixated. This man, his voice, and opera just inspired me. You can imagine that my parents were shocked since we are from a very small town in the middle of Queensland (Australia), In what is essentially a very sport-dominated town. My family supported me my whole life in my love for music and that has to be the most special moment of my childhood.
Natasha Barbieri: Early on you became fascinated with the great Pavarotti. Obviously, his voice was one of a kind but what was it that drew you specifically to him?
As a child, I think I was drawn to him through his passion and his beautiful smile. That gorgeous big beautiful smile radiated throughout the theatre in every area no matter if it was sad or happy. Later on in my life when I fully understood what he was doing through his Pavarotti and Friends concerts, I realise this man was in fact trying to save Opera by making it popular again. When I moved to Italy in 2011 this became a full-circle moment for me because I was taken into the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation.
Natasha Barbieri: Your sincere respect for Pavarotti has seen you perform at the Luciano Pavarotti Heritage Concert and now work with his wife/manager. What are some of the things you’d like to leave as your own legacy?
Paul Ettore Tabone: While I was in Italy I audition for the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation in 2011 and from there I performed in a variety of theatres including the arena in Verona And at the New York city centre (Broadway). This was the beginning of a wonderful career for me in opera which led me to a variety of opera houses all around the world. During my time in the foundation, Nicoletta was very supportive and I owe her so much for the opportunity and support, that she gave me.
Natasha Barbieri: You were given the ‘Most Promising Voice for Music Theatre award’ from the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music. What did this early validation mean for you as an artist?
Paul Ettore Tabone: I was extremely blessed to be given this award both in 2006 and 2008. It wasn’t a very common occurrence that a student receives this award two times out of their three years at the University. I owe my success to so many of my mentors at university including Judith Brown and Kim Kirkman who always pushed me to achieve greater things.
Natasha Barbieri: Quite soon after your graduation, you debuted in a new opera called The Dirty Apple. How did you get that role and what were some key lessons you learned?
Paul Ettore Tabone: I was exceptionally lucky to have landed this role with Opera Queensland (Australia). In my first year out of university, I was able to demonstrate my skills as a performer in a great institution like this, in a world debut of an opera. I got that role through a general audition and was guided by Alison Rodgers who believed in me and my talent. This led me to move many other wonderful opportunities including my debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of the Opera called Love Never Dies.
Natasha Barbieri: What are some of the compositional characteristics that you enjoy from Andrew Llyod Webber as a composer?
Paul Ettore Tabone: I absolutely love Andrew Lloyd Webber music. I grew up infatuated with the Phantom of the Opera and thought it was absolutely genius. We can hear many pucciniano traits In this music and this is where my love for Opera stemmed. It is rare these days to find musical theatre with such lush orchestration and I think this is the reason why I moved to Opera to begin with. Love Never Dies is equally as lush and I loved how much of the Phantom of the Opera music was used throughout the show. In my second year out of university, it was a dream come true to land a supporting principal role in this wonderful musical.
Natasha Barbieri: You also played Ubaldo Piango in the West End’s production of The Phantom of the Opera for 4 years. That is a significant run for any performer, so tell us how you kept the role fresh and your vocal health intact?
Paul Ettore Tabone: I have now been studying Opera and classical singing for the last 12 years. It wasn’t until I met my teacher Fulvio Massa in Bologna in 2017, that I found the Melocchi technique which I believe has been my saving grace. During my time in The Phantom of the Opera, I sang over 6000 top c’s and d’s In over 1843 performances. I owe everything to him and this technique because without it I certainly wouldn’t have been as successful. Eight shows a week in musical theatre is not just a job but a lifestyle. But I have absolutely no regrets listening to that gorgeous music for the last four years of my life.
Natasha Barbieri: You’ve also performed in West Side Story, Rigoletto, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot. What were some of your favorite moments from those productions?
Paul Ettore Tabone: I have been so lucky to perform all over the world in opera from such a young age. At only 24-years-old I was first cast Duca di Mantova In Stephen Barlow’s premier production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at the Opera Nazionala in Bucharest (Romania). This has to be my most favourite moments in my career so far. Stephen has been a huge supporter of my career and he was the one who gave me my chance. The staging, orchestra, and experience just completely exhilarated and inspired me to keep going with my career. I absolutely adored how much Stephen loves musical theatre as well and it was completely refreshing seeing an opera director be so passionate about Musical Theatre. I am equally passionate about breaking the walls down between Opera and musical theatre in a hope of making both art forms equally as accessible to the public.
Natasha Barbieri: Are you drawn to certain character types or moods of music?
Paul Ettore Tabone: I am absolutely in love with Puccini. During my time in Italy and has performed regularly in Lucca, I fell in love with Puccini and the tradition of his music in this region. Verissimo Opera has a very special place in my heart. Yes, I am a tenor, but I am also an actor and I love to tell the story through my voice. This in combination with the exceptional music of Puccini, allows me to tell a story on an emotional level far greater than most other art forms.
Natasha Barbieri: Given your resume, classical crossover seems a perfect fit, and This is Me combines the two worlds beautifully. Tell us a little bit about the behind-the-scenes of creating the album.
Paul Ettore Tabone: This album and all of its music have come directly from my heart. Every song means something to me. From my parent’s wedding song to singers who have inspired me like Mario Lanza & Pavarotti. These two singers broke boundaries to try and make Opera popular. Mario Lanza was at times unsuccessful because the operatic public did not class him as an opera singer even though he was well qualified for that, because his music was too “popular”. I feel like that is what I am doing now. Every time I go back to my small hometown of Ingham in far north Queensland, and I sing opera, people are enthralled even though they don’t necessarily know what I am singing about. What I wanted to do with my album was to inspire a new generation to appreciate the operating voice and that will be my goal throughout my career. Just like Pavarotti did in his Pavarotti and Friends concerts. I want to continue this work and share Opera with the world.
Connect with Paul online:
Official Website: paultabone.com
Facebook: @tabonetenor
Instagram: @tabonetenor
Twitter: @tabonetenor
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