Entertainment
6 September, 2026
Global lyric tenor returns 'home'
INTERNATIONAL lyric tenor Paul Ettore Tabone, described by the BBC as “Australia’s own Bocelli” is set to return to the Innisfail Shire Hall on Saturday 12 September at 2pm, with his new, powerful and emotional tribute to Andrea Bocelli in what promises to be a world class concert event.
INTERNATIONAL lyric tenor Paul Ettore Tabone, described by the BBC as “Australia’s own Bocelli” is returning home to the Far North, with three performances in Cairns, Innisfail and Ingham.
The shows at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (Friday 11 September at 2pm), Innisfail, Shire Hall (Saturday 12 September at 2pm) and Ingham Shire Hall ( 16 and 19 September) will feature a new, powerful and emotional tribute to Andrea Bocelli in what promises to be a world‑class concert event.
Praised for his “powerhouse voice that could fill a stadium,” Mr Tabone leads audiences through Bocelli’s most iconic repertoire, performing favourites such as ‘The prayer’, ‘Time to say goodbye’, ‘Canto della terra’ and ‘Besame mucho’.
His golden tone and commanding stage presence bring operatic mastery and theatrical storytelling together in a sweeping musical experience.
Mr Tabone’s connection to Bocelli runs deep. In 2016, he shared the stage with the Italian superstar at the Arena di Verona before an audience of 20,000, with the performance broadcast to more than 20 million viewers worldwide. That milestone moment inspired the heartfelt tribute concert now touring across Australia.
Although Mr Tabone grew up in Ingham, his family’s history is woven through the Cassowary Coast. The Tabone family originally settled around South Johnstone, where his grandfather Paul lived before moving north. His great grandparents, Salvatore and Eugie, came from Malta and Cooktown and later moved to the Herbert district to pursue sugar cane farming.
Mr Tabone is one of Australia’s most accomplished international tenors, with a career spanning London’s West End, Broadway, the Sydney Opera House, the National Opera of Bucharest and Teatro Carlo Felice in Italy. He has performed a record breaking 1800 shows in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in London and is celebrated for his ability to move effortlessly between opera, classical crossover and musical theatre.
Returning to North Queensland is a personal highlight.
“Coming home to perform in Innisfail and Cairns is incredibly special for me,” Mr Tabone said.
“These concerts feel like a homecoming, and I’m looking forward to sharing the music with the community that has been such an important part of my family’s story.”
Adding to the excitement, this performance will feature special appearances by outstanding local guest artists, Amber Meeson, John Scanlan and Mark Connors, bringing regional flavour to the concert and celebrating local talent alongside Tabone’s international artistry.
Tickets are available online at www.cnslocal.s.gy/y1B35h
