New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) Sol3 Mio, the international opera trio "ready to tackle the world" (Billboard) and one of Capitol
Music Group's most anticipated releases of 2015, will make their stateside debut with their self-titled full length album on April 28th, 2015 (Manhattan Records, Capitol
Music Group). The classically trained Samoan trio - consisting of tenor brothers, Pene (27) and Amitai Pati (24), and their baritone cousin, Moses Mackay (24) - rose to international popularity following the release of their debut album in 2013, which went 7x platinum and became New Zealand's highest selling album of the year. In November, after debuting in the top 5 of the UK classical chart, the trio embarked on a national tour with English tenor Alfie Boe, earning praise from BBC News for the "full power of [their] voices."
'Sol3 Mio' will give American listeners a full introduction to the trio's impressive vocal range and musical talent through a combination of opera classics and modern hits. All three members of
Sol3 Mio play instruments both on stage and on the album, including guitar, piano, double bass, ukulele and bongos. The sixteen track LP opens with the group's namesake track, Neapolitan classic "
O Sole Mio" (watch the group's humorous music video here), followed by beloved musical theater numbers such as West Side Story's "
Maria" and Les Misérables' "Bring Him Home." The trio plays homage to renowned crooner
Frank Sinatra with their cover of "My Way," as well as to their Samoan heritage with their rendition of the country's unofficial national anthem "We Are Samoa" - and wrap up the album with holiday favorites "
O Holy Night" and "Silent Night."
The trio's dynamic live performances - which blend traditional opera classics and modern song picks with charisma, humor, and live instruments - appeal to audiences that would otherwise shy away from a traditional opera aria. The group has the type of "presence [that] can't be learned," says Denis O'Neill - a famed English tenor and director of the Wales International Academy of Voice - and their impeccable comic timing and genuine brotherly connection has helped further their mission of introducing younger generations to opera. Watch Sol3 Mio's dazzling performance of "
Maria" in front of a sold out crowd here.
The trio began their musical journey at a young age - paying weekly visits to local nursing homes to perform for residents. Their dedication and love of singing continued through their education at the University of Auckland, where all three earned Bachelor of
Music degrees before venturing to the UK to study at the prestigious Wales International Academy of Voice. It wasn't until 2008, when Moses and Pene sang in the choir behind Andrea Bocelli, that their eyes and ears were fully opened to the possibilities of opera, setting them on a course that would lead to the formation of
Sol3 Mio three years later.
'Sol3 Mio' Tracklist:
1. 'O Sole Mio
2. The Rose
3. My Way
4. Ten Guitars
5. Maria
6. Bring Him Home
7. Tell My Father
8. Yellow Bird
9. Nella Fantasia
10. 'Au Fond Du Temple Saint' (The
Pearl Fishers' Duet)
11. Amazing Grace
12. World in Union
13. Nessun Dorma
14. We Are Samoa
15. O Holy Night
16. Silent Night
Bonus Track: 'O Sole Mio (Orchestral Version)
www.sol3mio.com
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