Ten Times the Entertainment

Why have three when you can have ten? That’s what an Australian television network did for a lark when they put together ten talented young tenors studying for careers in legitimate opera as the headline act for the network’s birthday celebration gala. What they didn’t anticipate is that the group would turn out to be one of Australia’s hottest musical exports. Ladies and gentlemen, The Ten Tenors, is ready to take Singapore by storm in their debut Asian performance.

In their first concert here at the Esplanade — Theatres by the Bay, The Ten Tenors will be performing their mix of classical, pop and original repertoire topped off with comedic antics Aussie style. Tackling Verdi and Puccini with the same flair as Broadway and Queen, these hip, witty and talented boys from Down Under will be bringing the house down — they are hardly the geriatric tenors the world has gotten used to.

The Ten Tenors were originally scheduled to perform here in April but their concert was postponed due to the SARS scare. Artistic Director Matthew Hickey, one of the Tenors himself says, ‘We are very excited to be performing in Singapore finally. We have heard so much about your wonderful country, its people, its food and the concert hall.’

The Ten Tenors created and performed their first full-length show in 1998, while still full-time students, even undertaking an intensive touring schedule in Australia before the completion of that academic year. The group has been a full-time musical ensemble since then.

Between 1998 and 2000, The Ten Tenors toured constantly throughout the Australian mainland states. It was in the venues of Australian outback towns that the group’s unique mix of music and comedy was born. Certainly it was there that The Ten Tenors obvious camaraderie developed.

The year 2001 saw The Ten Tenors venture internationally, undertaking two tours of New Zealand and sold out seasons in Berlin and Hamburg. On their following tour of Germany in February 2002, The Ten Tenors leapt to national attention as guest artists at the Eurovision Grand Prix, where the group’s medley of the finalists’ songs was lauded by the press as being the highlight of the evening. Extensive and completely sold-out touring of Germany, Austria and Switzerland followed.

The Ten Tenors discography includes albums ‘Tenorissimo!’, ‘Untied’, ‘Not so Silent Night’ and ‘Colours’. The latest ‘One is Not Enough’ was released in February 2002 and they have been featured on a television special The Ten Tenors — Live in Berlin in Germany.

Over the years, these ten very talented and engaging men have thrilled audiences around the world with their renditions of classical and popular hits as well as original music created and perfected by the group.

Singapore catches them at the right time on their rise to phenomenal fame. They will stop by on their way back to Australia after their current hugely successful tour that is taking them to UK, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. The Ten Tenors also made their US debut this year in March 2003 to rave reviews and have been promptly rebooked for future tours.

So folks, expect to hear Nessun Dorma, Bohemian Rhapsody and The Ten Tenors straddling both worlds with style.

The Ten Tenors are on 7:30pm, Friday, 15 August 2003 at Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets are available at SISTIC, call 6348 5555 or book online at www.sistic.com.sg