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Donald Sydney SmithOBE (27 July 1920 – 1 December 1998) was an Australian operatictenor.
Donald Sydney Smith[1] was born inBundaberg,Queensland,[2] on 27 July 1920.[3][better source needed]
Smith's early schooling and education was spasmodic, and at around 10 years old, while in 4th grade primary school, he was removed from school by his parents to help work on his family's milk run and dairy property.[citation needed]
At around the age of 12 years old he was sentenced to the notoriousWestbrook Farm Home for boys (outsideToowoomba), where he spent some seven months for allegedly stealing and "joy riding" in a friend's sister's boyfriend's motor vehicle with some of his mates.[citation needed] It is understood that Smith was the only youth in the group who was able to drive a motor vehicle, which he learned to do helping his father deliver milk on the family milk run. Smith was subsequently released into the care of relatives of his mother a Mr Leslie Robertson in Toowoomba and he then went to live with them in Brisbane. The circumstances of Smith's trial and sentence have never been detailed.[citation needed]
During the period after Smith's release from Westbrook, in his early teenage years, he continued to educate himself whilst working as a sugar cane cutter on properties in and around theBundaberg area.[citation needed] At the age of 16 he gained his first employment with the Bundaberg Millaquin Sugar Mill and started training as a sugar chemist.[citation needed]
Smith enlisted in the WWII war effort on 20 December 1941, and was discharged from the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion (Service Number QX48655), of the Citizens Military Forces on 28 October 1943.[4][better source needed] During this period, he served in the Citizens Military Forces and the Australian Imperial Force, on continuous full-time war service, both in Australia and atMilne Bay,New Guinea. It was in New Guinea whilst serving as private and a machine gunner, that Donald was wounded[5] in the right hand byfriendly fire, after being mistaken for the enemy, whilst setting up range markers for the machine guns. He was first transported to an American-based hospital ship for treatment of his injuries. The Australian Army at that time were unaware of where he had been taken. Therefore, it was during this time that his wife Joyce Lovett (who was on her way to hospital to deliver their first daughter Deanna), was advised by the Army that he was reported "missing in action, believed to be deceased". During recuperation for his injuries and after being repatriated to Australia, Joy was then advised that Smith was still alive.[citation needed]
Smith began his singing career on the local radio station4BU Bundaberg, firstly singing mainly "country and western" music. He also toured the local area with a group called Novac's Troupers.[citation needed]
Although a natural tenor from birth, Smith had his first "singing lesson" inBundaberg with Kate Gratehead.[citation needed] It was she who helped him refine his musical ability and vocal technique for his natural tenor voice. Following Smith's return to civilian life after being discharged from the army, he and Joy firstly relocated from Bundaberg toToowoomba and then eventually toBrisbane.[citation needed] In Brisbane Smith found work as a clerk with the government'sRepatriation Department. He also found additional work to support his young family, including that as a "lift driver" in aDavid Jones department store.[citation needed]
On relocating to Brisbane, Smith also became acquainted with the well known band leader J. J. Kelly. Under Kelly's direction, he performed the tenor roles in some of his first operas. These included the lead tenor role of Sir Walter Raleigh in Edward German's operaMerrie England in Brisbane in 1944 - "The English Rose". He also performed the lead tenor role of Thaddeus in Michael William Balfe's operaThe Bohemian Girl - "When Other Lips - Then You'll Remember Me" and the role of Don Caesar de Bazen in William Vincent Wallace's operaMaritana - "Yes Let Me Like A Soldier Fall".[citation needed]
In 1948, Smith joined the Brisbane Opera Society, and sang many leading tenor roles with them, such as Don José in Georges Bizet'sCarmen, the title role in Charles Gounod'sFaust, the Duke of Mantua in Giuseppe Verdi'sRigoletto, Roméo in Charles Gounod's operaRoméo et Juliette and Turiddu in Pietro Mascagni'sCavalleria Rusticana and Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's operaPagliacci. The role of the jilted lover Canio in particular was one which Smith would eventually "make his own" and for which he would become famous.[citation needed]
In 1952, after winning theMobil Quest[5] singing competition, Smith travelled to Italy and then to England to study at London's National School of Opera. Following his return to Australia, he performed with an Italian touring company in 1955. Here he sang alongside singers such as Gabriella Tucci and Kenneth Neate. In 1958 he appeared with the then Elizabethan Trust Opera Company. (which eventually became The Australian Opera Company and nowOpera Australia). He sang the roles of Count Almaviva in Gioachino Rossini's operaThe Barber of Seville and Tamino in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's operaThe Magic Flute. In 1960 he sang his first Pinkerton in Giacomo Puccini's operaMadama Butterfly opposite the Australian soprano DameJoan Hammond.[citation needed]
In 1962 Smith again travelled to England to join theSadler's Wells Opera Company. Here he performed many Verdi and Puccini operas includingRigoletto,Attila,Ernani,A Masked Ball,Girl of the Golden West,Tosca andIl Trittico. He also made his debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where he sang the role of Calaf in Giocomo Puccini's operaTurandot opposite the English sopranoAmy Shuard. He remained in the UK for six years and returned to Australia in 1967 to sing with The Australian Opera, where he appeared is such roles as Canio inPagliacci, Manrico inIl Trovatore, Bob Boles in Benjamin Britten's operaPeter Grimes, the Duke of Mantua inRigoletto, Dick Johnson inLa fanciulla del West, Cavaradossi inTosca, Radames inAida, and the King Gustavus inUn Ballo In Maschera. He also appeared in German roles, such as Florestan inFidelio.[citation needed]
In 1968, the first opera telecast in Australia,Tosca, featuredMarie Collier in the title role, Smith as Cavaradossi, andTito Gobbi as Scarpia.[citation needed]
On 21 January 1973 his was the first voice to sing in the Sydney Opera House when he appeared in the first test concert in the Opera Theatre, along withElizabeth Fretwell and members of the ABC National Training Orchestra, conducted by Robert Miller.[citation needed]
While Italian opera (and particularly where sung in English) was his naturalmétier, Smith also performed many concerts and song recitals. Together with his son Robin Donald Smith, who performed professionally under the nameRobin Donald, they presented in 1974 a series of 'Smith & Son' concerts throughout Australia.[citation needed]
Smith's last performance for Australian Opera was in Verdi'sI Masnadieri, where he sang with DameJoan Sutherland, the only times that these two sang a complete opera together. He became ill and retired in 1981. He later became a singing teacher in Brisbane at theQueensland Conservatorium of Music.[citation needed]
Smith released many recordings both in England with the Sadler's Wells Opera Company and in Australia with EMI records. He also appears in compilation videos and CDs such asCelebration – 40 Years of Opera, andAustralian Singers of Renown in Opera, Operetta & Song, compiled byJohn Cargher.[citation needed]
At the age of 18, Smith met Thelma Joyce Lovett, who eventually became his lifelong partner and whom he married in Bundaberg in 1942. They remained together until his death in Brisbane. They had a son and two daughters.[citation needed]
Smith died on 1 December 1998 in the Pleasantville Nursing Home inWynnum, Brisbane, ending an illustrious operatic career. He was survived by his wife Thelma Joyce (who died on 26 November 2009) and their three children.[citation needed]
Smith made many individual recordings both in England with the Sadler's Wells Opera Company and in Australia with EMI records and other recording companies. He also appears in compilation videos and CD's such asCelebration – 40 Years of Opera,[6] andAustralian Singers of Renown in Opera, Operetta & Song, compiled byJohn Cargher.[7]
His eldest grandson,Jason Cundy, was anEnglish Premier League player forChelsea,Tottenham Hotspur, andIpswich, and played forEngland U21.[citation needed]
On 2 June 1973 Smith was appointed anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil), for Music.[1] He was the first resident member of the Australian Opera to be awarded this honour.[citation needed]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [8] | ||
| Donald Smith Sings |
| - |
| Serenades (withAdelaide Symphony Orchestra) |
| 94 |
| Donald Smith Sings for You (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra) |
| - |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
