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Pacific Island quartet The Shades will apply their classical training to musical theatre, opera, gospel and popular music as part of the Auckland Opera Studios’ annual picnic event in Omaha next month.
The Shades comprise two Samoans, Samson Setu and Ipu Laga’aia, and two Tongans, Taka Vuni and Manase Latu.
They achieved international prominence in 2016 after they sang the national anthems for the Netball Quad Series, which was televised worldwide.
The Shades were also prominent during last year’s Lions tour of New Zealand, providing entertainment for several pre-game functions.
Opera studio voice coach Frances Wilson says The Shades are among the top singing students at the University of Auckland Music department.
“It’s with great pride that the studio can introduce them to Rodney audiences following an exceedingly busy year of performing and studying in 2017,” she says.
The show will follow the formula of previous picnic events with plenty of audience interaction and jokes.
There will also be a guest appearance by rising Auckland soprano Natasha Wilson.
Both Natasha and Shades tenor Manase Latu have been named Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists by NZ Opera for 2018, opening further performance opportunities for the pair during the rest of the year.
The annual picnic will be held at 144 Jones Road, Omaha, on Saturday, February 24 at 5.30pm. Bring your own picnic and refreshments. Adults $50, under 16 free. Book through iTicket.
