Believe it or not, Pangkor Laut Resort – the idyllic island escape that sits just off the coast of Perak on the Straits of Malacca – has also now built a name for itself as a bona fide destination for opera lovers as well. This obviously did not happen overnight – it all began when after arriving at the resort back in 1994, the late legendary Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti described what he saw as “paradise on earth.” Moved by the ephemeral beauty of the island, Pavarotti’s words lived on, and inspired the first Opera in Paradise event back in 2023.

Now, Pangkor Laut Resort is set to unveil the third edition of this showcase. Dubbed ‘Opera in Paradise: Arias by the Sea’, it’s set to spectacularly transform the idyllic resort’s open-air amphitheatre into a stage where world-class opera meets untouched tropical splendour from 10-12 October 2025. This extraordinary musical odyssey invites guests to surrender to the magic of soaring arias beneath a canopy of stars, with the symphony of the rainforest and the rhythm of the sea as its natural orchestra.

Maestro Andrea Griminelli – the Grammy-winning Italian virtuoso and protégé of the late legendary Luciano Pavarotti himself – returns to conduct an extraordinary ensemble featuring Laura Wright, the golden-voiced British mezzo-soprano; Clarissa Spata, Australia’s rising soprano star dazzling audiences with her crystalline vocals and magnetic stage presence; and Gaetano Bonfante, the powerhouse tenor whose voice carries the emotional depth of Italy’s greatest masters.

Headliner Griminelli is a performer with an illustrious career spanning over 35 years, with a Grammy and even an Italian knighthood to boot under his belt. Returning as the Musical Director, Griminelli’s performance is set to pay tribute to Pavarotti’s historic concert on the island, promising to evoke emotion and awe in equal measure.

Ably supporting him is a stellar line-up of award-winning performers, led by Laura Wright, the renowned English mezzo-soprano, having graced high-profile events worldwide, including performances for the late Queen Elizabeth II. Notable for writing the anthem Invincible for the Invictus Games in 2014 – an international sports meet for wounded and injured military veterans – Wright has been performing since winning BBC Chorister of the Year at the age of 15. She has also become one of the decade’s top-selling artists and is currently working on her seventh studio album.

Then, there’s also the award-winning soprano Clarissa Spata, known for her versatility and principal roles with Opera Australia, including as Frasquita in Carmen, Papagena and First Lady in The Magic Flute, and as Rosina in The Barber of Seville. She is also the winner of various accolades, including the Lady Fairfax New York Award and the Dame Joan Sutherland Encouragement Award. Spata also reached the Quarter Finals of The Voice Australia and regularly performs with both The Australian Tenors and The Italian Tenors.

Joining her is Gaetano Bonfante, the Sydney-born tenor who has graced the classical concert stage for years. He’s is a veteran of some 15 productions for Opera Australia and has toured as part of the cast for La Traviata across 18 cities in China. A finalist on ABC’s talent show Operatunity Oz and recipient of the Alice Amy MacDonald Scholarship, he has represented Australia in the iSing opera program in China and performed with the Arma Dei Carabinieri Orchestra in Venice. On top of all this, Bonfante has also written and performed cabaret shows on prestigious cruise ships! Known for his rich tenor voice and storytelling, he captivates audiences with his passion for music.

 

Set for a night of operatic music with a difference, then? Stay tuned for more details on the Pangkor Laut Resort official website.

 

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Photos courtesy of Pangkor Laut Resort