Pene Pati has received the Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts & des Lettres honour in Paris. Photo / @pene.pati
Pene Pati has received the Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts & des Lettres honour in Paris. Photo / @pene.pati
Samoan-Kiwi tenor Pene Pati says he is “humbled” to have been bestowed a French knighthood for services to the arts.
The opera star received the prestigious Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts & des Lettres (Knight of the Arts) in a ceremony hosted by the French Ministry of Culture in Parisyesterday.
“Still a little hard to believe, honestly,” he wrote on social media.
“Thank you to the French Republic for this incredible honour. France has given me so much – not only your music, but a place that has truly felt like a second home."
Pati recalled arriving in France with only an elementary grasp of the language.
“Somehow now I end up here … still trying!" he joked.
“Merci for welcoming me, supporting me, and trusting me with this beautiful repertoire. I’ll keep working hard and doing my best to be worthy of this honour.”
Pati delivered his acceptance speech in French after receiving his medal at the Theatre des Champs- Elysees.
The honour is awarded to artists who have made a significant cultural contribution to France.
Past recipients include Andre Rieu, Frederic Pierrot, and Tina Turner.
Born in Samoa and raised in Māngere, South Auckland, the star has performed in all the world’s major opera houses, including the Opera national de Paris and New York’s Metropolitan Opera.
