 |
Roy Cornelius SmithAmerican opera tenor
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Roy Cornelius Smith: A Biography
Roy Cornelius Smith is an American opera tenor who has gained international recognition for his rich and remarkably beautiful voice, as well as his compelling dramatic interpretations. Smith has performed on prestigious opera stages such as the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, New Israeli Opera, Salzburg Festival, Spoleto Festival, and Bregenzer Festspiele. He has also collaborated with renowned orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Orchestra del Teatro Carlo Felice, and Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Early Career
Smith made his international opera debut in 1998 at the Salzburg Festival. Later in the same season, he performed in English at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. According to Opera News, Smith transitioned to a dramatic repertoire over time, resulting in a "darker" and more powerful voice, while losing some of its previous sweetness and upper register extension. Many of his roles are characterized by vibrant and charismatic characters.
Recent Engagements
In the 2011 season, Smith made his debut at the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen, where he sang Turiddu in "Cavalleria Rusticana" and Canio in "I Pagliacci." He also performed the role of Calaf in "Turandot" with the New Orleans Opera, alongside Lise Lindstrom. In Berlin, he shared the stage with Maria Guleghina at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Smith collaborated with Dick Johnson in "La fanciulla del West" at the Nashville Opera. Other notable roles include Radames in "Aida" in Birmingham, Eric in "The Flying Dutchman" in New Orleans, and Pollione in "Norma" at the Chautauqua Institution.
Achievements and Recognition
Smith has portrayed the role of Calaf in Berlin, Vienna, Birmingham, North Carolina, Jacksonville, and Memphis. He sang the role of De Grieux in "Manon" in New Orleans and performed as Pinkerton at music festivals in Austria and Aspen. His portrayal of Canio in "I Pagliacci" was praised in Toledo.
Smith's successful debut as Pinkerton in "Madama Butterfly" at the Volksoper in Vienna led to invitations to sing in "Turandot," for which he received enthusiastic reviews. Musical America published a praising critique of Smith, describing his voice as "immense," "sweet," "passionate," and "captivating." His acting skills also received special acclaim.
Today, Roy Cornelius Smith is widely recognized as one of the leading contemporary tenors, with numerous titles and awards from the opera world.
