Operatic greats, in satire

They’re back! The tuxedo costumed PreTenors reunite once more for an evening of comedic opera.

The comedic trio that includes two St. Albertans – Trent Worthington and Martin Murphy – returns to the Arden Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 18.

The accomplished local tenors satirize three of the 20th century’s greatest tenors – the universally enjoyed Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and JosĂ© Carreras.

By deploying their impressive vocal range and classical technique combined with a broad palette of humor, they remove the stuffiness from opera and break down musical barriers.

“We’re just on stage being silly. We don’t make fun of the guys. We just heighten their characters. And the music is paramount. Opera is thought of as being longhaired, highbrow stuff. But when you goose it up and make it light, you can have a lot of fun with it,” said Martin Murphy.

One of the Mayfield Dinner Theatre’s stable of actors, Murphy is a popular addition to the company’s musicals.

“Every night people ask me ‘when are you going to bring back The PreTenors? So we are back by popular demand.”

But this will be a slightly different lineup than when the trio was first formed 18 years ago to entertain at a Pro Coro fundraiser.

Michel Landry, one of the founding tenors who carried the part of the vain Placebo Domingo, took his last bow this year and retired. At this concert, Edmonton tenor Ron Long debuts the role as the new, impeccably manicured Domingo.

“Ron has a good set of pipes and he’ll certainly be bringing a different flavour, a different vibe,” said Murphy, who plays the overweight Luciano Paparazzi who stuffs food in his mouth while singing beautiful arias such as Nessun Dorma and La Donna e Mobile.

Rounding out the tenors is Worthington’s charming Whocarras, a meek singer who is pushed into the background by the larger-than-life Paparazzi and the puffed-up Domingo.

Joachim Segger, professor of music at King’s University College, is the group’s pianist and the fourth silent tenor.

Over the years, the tenors – who can sing arias in their sleep – have prided themselves on how little rehearsal time they need to prepare a show.

“The great thing about the act is that it’s all about reacting. It’s all improvised and it’s about reacting to the other guys’ reactions. It’s not planned. It’s going to be entertaining to see what Ron brings to the table and that will make it more interesting for us.”

The PreTenors will also reprise a concept they sporadically adopted in the ensemble’s early years – introducing female celebrity guests.

“The gals will be singing songs we haven’t done before.”

Throughout the trio’s lifetime, PreTenors have performed at school and charity fundraisers, corporate events and conferences. Three years ago at the Edmonton Fringe Festival they were a must-see show that attracted 2,000 patrons.

Due to the tenors’ heavy schedule of commitments, PreTenors perform intermittently.

“We don’t know when and if PreTenors will perform again, so come and have fun with us.”