Dubbed "Australia's own Bocelli," acclaimed Ingham-born tenor Paul Tabone returns to North Queensland this September with his celebrated show Viva Pavarotti at the Burdekin Theatre.
A graduate of the Central Queensland Conservatorium and an alumnus of Italy’s Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, Tabone calls the performance “a celebration of Pavarotti and more,” with “a little bit of opera, a bit of music theatre, and some pop.” Inspired by the famed Pavarotti & Friends concerts, the show revisits the duets and songs that brought classical music to the masses, alongside stories of Tabone’s own time training in Italy.
Tabone is quick to stress that Viva Pavarotti is “not a tribute show.”
“I just want to pay homage to everything this man has done for me,” he says. “I used to listen to Pavarotti growing up with my Nonna in Ingham. To go from that to joining his foundation at 21, performing on some of the biggest stages in the world because of him, was like a full‑circle moment.”
Honouring Pavarotti’s legacy also means creating opportunities for young, talented regional singers, which this concert will highlight with guest appearances by 12‑year‑old classical vocalist John Scanlon, 17‑year‑old pop singer Amber Meeson, and the Home Hill Choral Society.
For Tabone, who has performed iconic roles around the world—including more than 1,800 shows as Ubaldo Piangi in The Phantom of the Opera on London’s West End—returning to the Burdekin feels like coming home. “I’ve had a close connection with the region ever since my university days. It’s a pleasure to bring this repertoire back to such a welcoming community.”
One of the show’s most poignant moments comes when he performs “I Am Australian,” sung in Italian, a First Nations language, and English. “It’s my attempt at what Pavarotti did—blending pop and opera,” he explains. “It really resonates with us in regional Australia.”
And, of course, audiences can expect the iconic aria Nessun Dorma.
Ultimately, Tabone hopes they leave with “an appreciation of opera and crossover music, and an open mind that opera is not just someone standing on stage singing in another language.”
Don’t miss a night of world‑class music, live at the Burdekin Theatre on Sunday, 14 September.
Tickets are selling fast—call (07) 4783 9880 or book online at www.burdekintheatre.com.au today.
Dubbed "Australia's own Bocelli," acclaimed Ingham-born tenor Paul Tabone will return to North Queensland this September, bringing his celebrated show Viva Pavarotti back to the Burdekin Theatre.
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