Who is Filipe Manu?
A Tongan-Kiwi tenor with a pretty unlikely pathway into opera. I was born in Armidale, Australia, grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, and in a lot of ways had a fairly normal Kiwi childhood. Playing cricket on the streets after school with whatever we could fashion into a stump and bat, touch rugby that usually turned into full contact, and often tears, and as many trips to the local bakery or dairy as we could afford, for a pie and a Primo.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
When I was 10, I was given a life changing opportunity. A full scholarship to a boys’ school for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Everything was covered. Education, music, even the basics. Free singing lessons to free undies, proper fancy stuff. Hand on heart, I wouldn’t be where I am without that education, so I feel an immense amount of gratitude. So if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing now, I’d love to be involved in something that offers opportunities to kids from similar backgrounds to what I had growing up.
Who inspires you and why?
Mum. She worked incredibly hard to raise my brothers and me on her own and to make sure we had opportunities that weren’t always easy to come by. That’s something I carry with me. My brothers as well. They’re great dads, great humans. Yeah, they’re alright.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
The opportunity for music tuition, whether free or subsidised, should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background. Having been a direct beneficiary of a free education and, as an extension of that, music tuition, I wouldn’t have found my way into opera otherwise. It was life changing for me and my family, and I can only imagine the impact something like that could have if made widely accessible. And as corny as it may sound, music really does bring people from all walks of life together.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
New Zealand, easily. It’s where everything slows down a bit. There’s space, good food, and it’s home, so it always feels The added bonus is that my Kiwi accent doesn’t stick out.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
It depends on where I am, but I love doing things that are unique to wherever I am and experiencing that with mates. If we’re talking Sydney, where I am at the moment, I’d probably skip the 5am run club around Bondi. I don’t think my mates would appreciate that.
What are you currently reading?
At the moment, it’s a bit of a mix between what I’m working on and everything else. There’s always a music score on the go, but I’ve also been dipping in and out of The Axeman’s Carnival and Pet by Catherine Chidgey for far too long, which is getting a bit embarrassing now.
What are you currently listening to?
Everything from Monteverdi’s Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda right through to an island reggae remix of So Easy by Olivia Dean that I found the other day, and quite literally everything in between.
Happiness is?
Doing super regular things, like a coffee in hand and going for a walk with no real plan. Either that or the type of family BBQ that induces a food coma, which then requires a post BBQ nap.
What does the future hold for you?
In the immediate future, there’s a fair amount of work, role debuts, and world premieres, so a lot of music learning. Beyond that, trying to find more of Question 9, getting to Question 5, working towards Questions 2 and 4, and spending more time with Question 3. And finishing Question 7.
Filipe stars as Alfredo Germont in Opera Australia’s production of Verdi’s La Traviata – which plays Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 8 – 16 May 2026. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Filipe Manu – photo by Notes on Lens