The private island paradise that is Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia will soar to new operatic heights on the wings of world-famous artists in October this year. Taking place between 20-22 October and for one special weekend every year thereafter, Opera in Paradise will welcome renowned musicians who have lit up concert halls and become household names the world over for an unforgettable symphony set within this private island getaway.
For this year’s inaugural Opera in Paradise weekend, guests at the resort will discover the sensational talents of three headline acts: Andrea Griminelli, Belle Voci and Michael Austin. These three acts will be performing on a most unusual stage – in a forever paradise espousing Pangkor Laut Resort’s unique ethos of ‘one island, one resort’ where treasured moments are formed amid an idyllic setting of sun, sea, sand and two-million-year-old virgin rainforests.
The curated lineup of talent at the Opera in Paradise event harks back to a semi-private performance given by the larger-than-life tenor Luciano Pavarotti. In 1994, the maestro performed to a glittering gallery of distinguished guests on the grounds of Pangkor Laut Resort to commemorate its second phase of development. During his visit, Pavarotti was so captivated and moved by the location that he exclaimed: “This place is enchanting, it is paradise here. This morning when I woke up, I went out (and) I was really moved, almost crying to see how beautiful things have (been) done by God. Because this is really paradise.” Pavarotti would go on to call the song ‘O Paradiso’, which was performed during his recital, his description of Pangkor Laut Resort.
Today, the resort continues to commemorate the great tenor by naming its grandest suite with the best views in his honour. Three decades later, the acts chosen to kick off the new Opera in Paradise event offer a fitting tribute to the moment that crystallised Pangkor Laut Resort’s legend and myth:
Andrea Griminelli is an Italian flautist whose successful career has spanned over 34 years. His sensitive interpretations and astonishing technique have earned him accolades and awards from all over the world, including a Grammy, the Prix de Paris and an Italian Knighthood. Griminelli also worked with Pavarotti himself, and at the age of 25, was invited by the tenor to perform at his concert in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Griminelli will also serve as the Musical Director of this event, which pays tribute to Pavarotti’s historic performance on the island.
Belle Voci, Italian for ‘beautiful voices’, is a double act comprising Emily Burnett and Sophie Rowland who met at the age of 22. Having accidentally applied for The Voice UK, Belle Voci progressed all the way to the live final in 2018, performing to over five million viewers on primetime television, singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ with their idol and coach, Jennifer Hudson. The absolute highlight of their career to date was singing the National Anthem at the FA Cup Final in 2019 and supporting tenor extraordinaire, Alfie Boe OBE who even invited them on stage to duet with him at his Scarborough show and again in London. Emily and Sophie’s mission is to spread opera and classical music far and wide and bring it audiences anew.
Michael Austin is an American performer, who received his Master of Music from New York’s Juilliard School of Music. As a theatre performer, he achieved history becoming the only African-American Othello of this time and the first non-Chinese performer to sing a leading role in a Chinese opera (Mulan Palms).
This breathtaking concert will be followed by sunset cocktails and a captivating dinner experience where guests will dine with views of beautiful emerald waters and lush mountainscape. Guests visiting Pangkor Laut Resort will experience the same paradise that Pavarotti encountered some three decades ago, with relaxation to be found under swaying palm trees, unwinding at the renowned Spa Village and soaking up the sun at Emerald Bay beach.
To further encourage guests to contribute to the creation of paradise for others, a charity drive will run concurrently with the Opera in Paradise weekend. The funds raised will be directed towards Hospis Malaysia, a charitable organisation with a vision to make palliative care universally accessible. This is achieved through the provision of evidence-based palliative care to patients and families at no charge, coupled with the training of others to extend this essential service to those who would otherwise be unreachable.
Prices for the Opera In Paradise weekend start at $2,179.45 (MYR 6,500++) for a Garden Villa, and $10,062 (MYR 30,000++) for a 3-Bedroom Hilltop Estate. Minimum two nights’ stay is required, and bookings include daily breakfast, lunch and dinner for two adults at selected restaurants, return scheduled speedboat transfer to and from Marina Island Pangkor, welcome cocktails on 21 October at Royal Bay Beach Club Poolside and the opera concert on 21 October followed by dinner.
