By Rama Gaind
The Ten Tenors, a versatile Australian musical ensemble, have created a sound that is uniquely their own – and they are returning to perform at the Canberra Theatre on Saturday, August 6, 2011.
It may have been five or six years in between engagements in the nation’s capital, but the powerful Ten will now bring audiences their latest offering, Double Platinum, a brand new show alongside a double album of the same name.
Over the past 16 years, the group has remained specially bonded even though some new members have come on-board. According to Dion Molinas, a long-standing member, what has kept them bonded is the “intellectual property we have over our show”.
“Everything is organic,” Dion explained in a telephone interview during a break from rehearsals in Queensland. “Each one of us has a hand in producing the show from designing the stage, choosing our own sets, choreography, stage lights … it’s all a collaborative effort.”
“However, there is a clear-cut leader and that’s Graham Foote, our musical director. He does the arrangements for the songs etc, has a strict schedule and takes our music very seriously, just as we all do.”
‘Australiana is endearing’
What are the most endearing qualities that they possess? The most “endearing, for me, is our Australiana,” Dion said.
“We take our music very seriously and on stage we strive to entertain,” he said. “We’re relaxed, but strive for excellence whether it’s singing a one-part or six-part harmony. Bohemian Rhapsody is an amazing song which has always been in the show and another signature song is Nessun Dorma which, for any tenor, is a swan song.”
The group comprises Keane Fletcher, Dion Molinas, Paul Gelsumini, Thomas David Birch, Graham Foote, Stewart Morris, Ben Stephens, Jared Newall, Jordan S. Pollard and Boyd Owen.
‘Bigger, bolder’ show
According to Graham Foote, “We’re throwing down the gauntlet with this show. It’ll be bolder, bigger and better than ever before”.
Dion Molinas elaborates. Whether the music is classical or contemporary, the strength of the songs in the show is amazing. “It took six months to finalise the set list,” Dion said. “We’re passionate about every song. From the tenderness of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, to the unbridled power of the Aerosmith’s number one hit stadium rock ballad, Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, to the world’s best-loved classical piece Nessun Dorma.”
“There’s no line between classical to contemporary, everything flows really well, flows smoothly.”
The best way to highlight the vocal magic of ‘The Ten’ is not a special repertoire, a medley or an individual song that does it justice. Instead, it’s their different backgrounds in classical and music theatre that is “one of our strengths”.
“We are all different sounding and it’s about the timbre of our voices,” Dion said. “It is all about the best blend, ensemble and individual voices.”
Double Platinum album
As a graduate of the Central Queensland of Conservatorium of Music, Dion, 35, is trained in both classical and contemporary voice with an impressive career which is focused predominantly on music theatre. He has starred in such hit musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, Hello Dolly, Little Shop of Horrors and Showboat (to name a few).
Dion said that Double Platinum was the 10th studio album for the group and it was “really exciting to make and produce an album before going on tour”.
“Sincerely, it’s the best album we’ve done. When I see the journey from where we started, along the way, and now to this album – I think that it has all been so amazing.”
Don’t miss the one performance of this incredible vocal group at the Canberra Theatre on August 6.
They will begin their Australian concert tour in Hobart on August 4 and end it in Brisbane on September 2. They then head off for overseas engagements in November.
DETAILS
The Ten Tenors, live in Canberra, August 6, 2011.
Book tickets through the Canberra Theatre online or call the Box Office on (02) 6275 2700.
For more information visit: http://thetentenors.com/
or get the TTT national tour dates at: http://thetentenors.com/events/
