Sol3 Mio - There and Back Tour
Napier Municipal Theatre
Tuesday, February 24
Reviewed by Linda Hall
Now I know what all the fuss is about. Every person I've spoken to who has been to a performance by Sol3 Mio has raved about it. Now it's my turn.
Stirring, powerful, hilarious, mesmerizing and just brilliant.
The Samoan trio, comprising tenor brothers Pene and Amitai Pati and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay, are just incredible. They are so talented yet down to earth and they sure know how to work an audience.
When the lights went out in the packed theatre there was a countdown from 10 to I and then the announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, Sol3 Mio."
The theatre exploded into applause as Pene stepped out and started singing O sole mio. His voice is huge and rich.
Then Moses joined him, adding his powerful baritone voice and finally the second tenor Amitai stepped out - and I understood why this trio has been making headlines all over the world.
Accompanying them on piano was Claire Caldwell.
Pene told the audience it had been a crazy year for them.
"We have sung in front of thousands of people, including the Queen. We didn't know she was there, though," he said with a laugh.
They laughed at themselves, interacting with the audience, and most of all they sang the most beautiful, stirring notes I have ever heard.
I never thought I would like opera but this trio has shown audiences all over the world that opera can be fun and that engaging with the audience is not just something comedians do.
They each sang a song without their mics, all three voices booming throughout the theatre.
The woman sitting next to me commented after Pene sang the amazing German aria Deinist mein ganzes Herz: "What a voice, it's magnificent. The strength of it gets right into your soul."
So true.
You'll Never Walk Alone received thunderous applause at the end of the first half.
The second half of the show began with Pene walking out and sitting at the piano and singing The Rose. Amitai and Moses joined him and it was just incredible.
They had the audience singing and dancing as people stood and swayed and clapped to the music.
Pene asked how many young people were in the audience. He encouraged them to never give up on their dreams.
"Look at us. It's been a lot of hard work but we never gave up. Always try your hardest."
At the end of the second half the audience clapped, catcalled, whistled and stomped their feet for an encore, which of course we got.
Ten Guitars and Yellow Bird were sung as I've never heard them before.
They ended with a moving version of We are Somoa.
The audience were on their feet clapping and cheering as the trio left the stage after more than two hours of outstanding entertainment.
It wasn't the first standing ovation of the night but this time I'm pretty sure every person in the theatre was on their feet.
I didn't't want it to end - I could have listened to them all night.
The trio are off overseas now but they promised the audience they would be back. I can't wait.