Now coming towards the end of his time with the Adler Programme at San Francisco Opera, young Samoan tenor Pene Pati takes on the role of Duca di Mantova in Rob Kearley’s production of Rigoletto, under Music Director Nicola Luisotti. Previously a participant in their Merola Summer Program, Pene Pati has this season appeared in Aida and Don Carlo, both with Luisotti, and in the world premiere of Bright Sheng’s Dream of the Red Chamber, whilst covering Ernesto in Don Pasquale and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly.

A native of New Zealand, Pene has garnered major worldwide attention in recent seasons for his turn at the 2015 Operalia Competition (taking Second and Audience prizes), the 2015 Neue Stimmen Competition (where he also took Second Prize) and the 2014 Montserrat Caballé International Aria Competition (where he triumphed with First Prize).