With a mix of classical, pop and rock, The Ten Tenors will be bringing their greatest hits to the Poway Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Feb. 18.
The Australian group has been performing around the world for 28 years.
The 7 p.m. concert, part of the group’s three-week tour of the West Coast, will likely include songs such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” and “Bring Him Home” from the musical “Les Misérables.
“It’s very varied, with lots of different songs. It will be an exciting show,” said Michael Edwards, one of the singers and the group’s musical director.
While his personal favorites during performances vary, Edwards said he “loves singing opera” but also enjoys “Wichita Lineman” because of how the song has been arranged.
“We have contemporary pop (songs) that are familiar to the audience, but arranged in completely different ways,” Edwards said. “I love Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ I love performing it every night.”
Some of the songs are sure to get audience on their feet. Edwards said the group enjoys it when the audience starts dancing because they want everyone to have a good time.
“We have a lighting guy whose designs are absolutely spectacular,” he said. “It is a full show, with lots going on … It is not us just standing there singing. It is not what people will expect.”
In between songs the singers will chat a bit with the audience, he said.
“We enjoy it and don’t take the show too seriously,” Edwards said, adding the singers build off the audience’s energy.
Edwards ed The Ten Tenors in late 2014.
“It’s been nearly 10 years, crazy how the time has flown,” he said when recently interviewed virtually while in Australia.
“One of the things I love about singing is performing with people,” he said. “I was in choirs a lot while growing up, so I enjoy the collaboration. I love singing with The Ten Tenors because we get solo experiences as well. All the guys get their different moments on their own, singing on their own and singing with other people.”
Edwards said while he has sung in recitals, “they can be a bit of a lonely experience,” so he finds this group a pleasant contrast.
“The guys get along really well and we function well off-stage,” he said. “Singing with this bunch of people has kept me coming back.”
In addition to Edwards, the other singers are Cameron Barclay (who is also their choreographer), Daniel Belle, Ammon Bennett, Ben Clark, Jesse Layt, Adrian Li Donni, Joseph Naim, Boyd Owen and Sam Ward. While a couple have been in The Ten Tenors for two years, most have been there five years or longer, Edwards said.
They are accompanied by a pianist, drummer and recorded tracks.
The singers’ professional experiences vary. According to their bios, some have performed in operas, others in musicals including on Broadway, and all have extensive training. When not performing with The Ten Tenors they often have solo performances, teach music or do stage productions, Edwards said.
Edwards has been singing since age 8, when he started performing with the Australian Boys Choral Institute. Later, he was in the National Youth Choir of Australia, Adelaide Chamber Singers and The Consort of Melbourne. He studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and was cast in several Victorian Opera Chorus productions.
As the group’s musical director, a position Edwards has held since 2018, he runs the rehearsals, allocates vocal parts, works on their harmonies and handles other duties required to put on the shows. He works closely with the group’s producer, music arrangers and choreographer.
While this is the group’s first time performing in Poway, they have done concerts in San Diego before.
“I love coming to new theaters and love it in California,” Edwards said.
The Ten Tenors will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 in the Poway center, 15498 Espola Road.
Tickets are $50-$85 for adults; $43-$72 for seniors (65-plus), active duty military and students (ages 13-21); and $25-$43 for youths (12 and under). A $9 handling and facilities restoration fee will be added to each ticket.
Purchase tickets at powayonstage.org or the box office at 858-748-0505 from 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
