Note: This show has been cancelled in response to the COVID-19 situation.
The sounds of Italy will come to Ipswich when world-renowned operatic group The Italian Tenors performs at the Ipswich Civic Centre this month.
The successful trio is made up of Evan Tonon, Sabino Gaita and Lucas Sala who perform a unique blend of classical and Italian pop music with a live band.
Speaking recently to Ipswich First ahead of the group’s first Australian show in Canberra, Tonon said it was good to be back Down Under.
It is the third time The Italian Tenors, known for their charm and powerful vocals, have toured Australia.
“It’s a happy time every time we visit. It’s a great country, the people are welcoming and nice,” he said.
“The weather is nice too, because it’s winter in Turin at the moment.”
The path to singing was an unusual one for Tonon who initially pursued a career in law.
“Music and singing didn’t play a major role in my life growing up. I did church choir singing but it wasn’t a goal and the singing instructor was quite strict,” he said.
“I remember thinking ‘how am I going to tell him I don’t want to be a singer’.”
It was while studying law that Tonon really became passionate about singing after taking some lessons for fun.
He once came across a postcard which read ‘follow your dreams wherever they take you’ and decided the time was right for law to take a backseat to singing.
The Italian Tenors formed about eight years ago when Tonon met fellow member Gaita in an Opera House in Turin, Italy.
Tonon was purely classically trained and had an interest in jazz, with Gaita introducing him to pop songs.
It is that mix of experience and different interests that allows the group to provide audiences with a unique blend of classical and Italian pop music.
While opera may traditionally have a reputation for being a little stuffy, Tonon said the trio often did their best to breakdown that stereotype.
“We like to interact with the audience during our shows, it’s entertainment and we like to tease and play with the audience a bit,” he said.
“We like to bring a bit of Italy to Australia.”
The Italian Tenors will perform in Ipswich on 26 March, 2020 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.
