426:, 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 Joy (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.
22:
86:, for treatment of his injuries, and where he also contracted malaria and his weight was down to 84 pounds (38 kg). The Australian Army at that time was unaware of his whereabouts, and reported "missing in action, believed to be deceased". His wife Joy was on her way to hospital, to deliver their first daughter Deanna Joy, when she was advised by the Army that he was alive. Still recuperating from his injuries, and after being repatriated to Australia, Smith was discharged from the Army on 28 October 1943.
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training as a sugar chemist. 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. In 1942 their son Donald Robin Smith was born in Bundaberg, and two daughters Deanna Joy and Carol Beth were born in Brisbane in 1943 and 1945 respectively.
39:. His voice had a bright Italianate quality which could match, in size carrying power and tonal allure, the voices of most sopranos and mezzos. He attracted a fiercely loyal public following, and many Australians who had no prior experience of opera became opera lovers through Smith's work. His performances were regularly sold out with
646:, in performance with the Australian Opera Company (now Opera Australia). Robin also sang the role of The Steersman in performances on other occasions, when Donald was singing the role of Eric. These are the only known performances of any father and son tenors ever singing these roles together in this opera.
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songs. His first singing teacher in
Bundaberg was a lady named Kate Gratehead. It was she who helped him refine his musical ability and vocal technique for his natural tenor voice. After the birth of their third child, Smith and his wife Joy left Bundaberg and relocated firstly to Toowoomba and later
70:
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 the Bundaberg area. At the age of 16 he gained his first employment with the Bundaberg Millaquin Sugar Mill and started
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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. During this period, he served in the Citizens Military Forces and the Australian Imperial Force, on
78:
in New Guinea. It was here in New Guinea, whilst serving as a private and a machine gunner, that he was wounded in the right hand by "friendly 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,
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While
Italian opera (and particularly where sung in English) was his natural metier, he also performed many concerts and song recitals. Together with his son Robin Donald, they presented in 1974 a series of "Smith & Son" concerts throughout Australia singing in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and
66:
for boys (outside
Toowoomba), 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. 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
59:, on 27 July 1920. 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 (Donald Sydney Smith and Elizabeth Maud Smith - née Clarque), to help work on his family's milk run and dairy property.
200:. 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 now
443:. Here Smith became acquainted with the well known band leader J.J. Kelly. Under Kelly's direction, and also working with the conductor George English, he performed some of the tenor roles in his first forays into grand opera. This included the lead tenor role of Sir Walter Raleigh, in Sir
67:
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.
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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 opera
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with a lady named Kate
Gratehead. 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 to
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was the only occasion when these two Australian icons performed a complete staged opera together. His health began to fail and in 1981 he retired from the professional operatic stage. He later became a singing teacher in Brisbane at the
110:
Bundaberg, firstly singing mainly "country and western" music. He also toured the local area with a group called Novac's Troupers. Although a natural tenor from birth, it is understood that Smith had his first "singing lesson" in
510:, after winning the Mobil Quest singing competition in Australia. After a brief period overseas in Italy and England, he returned to Australia, and sang with an Italian touring company in 1955, alongside singers such as
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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 as
928:"Smith Donald Sydney : Service Number - QX48655 : Date of birth - 27 Jul 1920 : Place of birth - Bundaberg Qld : Place of enlistment - Bundaberg Qld : Next of Kin - Smith Thelma"
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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 as
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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 with
379:, 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 the
285:. 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 in
405:, Brisbane, ending an illustrious operatic career. He was survived by his wife Thelma Joyce (who died on 26 November 2009) and their three children.
74:
On 4 October 1941, during World War II, Smith enlisted in the Australian Army (47th Battalion AFI Military Services Number QX48665). He served at
362:, Smith also performed many concerts and song recitals. Together with his son Robin Donald Smith, who performed professionally under the name
189:. 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.
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506:). Canio was a role for which Donald Smith became renowned throughout his long career. In 1952 he began two years of study at London's
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In 1948, Smith joined the Brisbane Opera Society, and sang many leading tenor roles with them, such as Don José in Georges Bizet's
99:
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275:. He also made his debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where he sang the role of Calaf in Giocomo Puccini's opera
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in Brisbane in 1944 - "The English Rose". He also performed the lead tenor role of Thaddeus in Michael William Balfe's opera
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144:- "When Other Lips - Then You'll Remember Me" and the role of Don Caesar de Bazen in William Vincent Wallace's opera
422:. It was in New Guinea whilst serving as private and a machine gunner, that Donald was wounded in the right hand by
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581:. He established his career in the UK for six years, before returning to Australia in 1967 to sing with the
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693:. While Smith and Sutherland did perform together in a number of concerts at the Sydney Opera House,
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and then eventually to Brisbane. In Brisbane Smith found work as a clerk with the government's
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Smith began his career singing on the local radio station 4BU Bundaberg, singing mainly
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singing competition, Smith travelled to Italy and then to England to study at London's
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In 1948, Smith joined the Brisbane Opera Society, and sang roles such as Don José (
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and members of the ABC National Training Orchestra, conducted by Robert Miller.
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1063:(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 278.
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Smith died in the Pleasantville Nursing Home in Brisbane on 1 December 1998.
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While Italian opera (and particularly where sung in English) was his natural
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528:). In 1960 he sang the role of Pinkerton for the first time opposite Dame
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in Brisbane in 1944. He also performed the lead tenor role of Thaddeus in
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623:). He also sang the Germanic operatic repertoire, including Florestan in
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At around the age of 12 years old he was sentenced to the notorious
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Smith died on 1 December 1998 in the Pleasantville Nursing Home in
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Smith's last performance for the Australian Opera was in Verdi's
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216:. In 1960 he sang his first Pinkerton in Giacomo Puccini's opera
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Academic staff of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
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Smith's last performance for Australian Opera was in Verdi's
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On 21 January 1973 Smith was the first voice to sing in the
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continuous full-time war service, both in Australia and at
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Australian Singers of Renown in Opera, Operetta & Song
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Australian Singers of Renown in Opera, Operetta & Song
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Smith began his singing career on the local radio station
327:. He also appeared in German roles, such as Florestan in
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Australian Officers of the Order of the British Empire
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Ann Atkinson; Linsay Knight; Margaret McPhee (1996).
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In 1973 Donald Smith was appointed an Officer of the
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In 1962 Smith again travelled to England to join the
536:, performing in Brisbane at Her Majesty's Theatre.
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980:
543:debut in England in 1962, where he performed many
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1087:Sydney Morning Herald, obituary, 5 December 1998
759:List of albums, with Australian chart positions
649:In 1968, the first opera telecast in Australia,
571:, where he made his debut as Calaf in Puccini's
336:In 1968, the first opera telecast in Australia,
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898:. New York, New York: Arno Press. p. 506.
1094:The Dictionary of Performing Arts in Australia
210:and Tamino in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera
1147:Australian military personnel of World War II
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657:in the title role, Smith as Cavaradossi, and
344:in the title role, Smith as Cavaradossi, and
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917:Note: version only supplies a snippet view.
1162:20th-century Australian male opera singers
585:in major roles including Canio, Manrico (
183:and Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera
165:, the Duke of Mantua in Giuseppe Verdi's
463:and the role of Don Caesar de Brazen in
295:, Bob Boles in Benjamin Britten's opera
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100:Australian News and Information Bureau
836:Label: His Master's Voice (OASD-7587)
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222:opposite the Australian soprano Dame
159:, the title role in Charles Gounod's
16:Australian operatic tenor (1920-1998)
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638:During the 1970s, Smith and his son
518:. In 1958 he appeared with the then
150:- "Yes Let Me Like A Soldier Fall".
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850:(with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra)
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1097:. Allen & Unwin. p. 212.
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864:Label: World Record Club (R-04989)
700:Queensland Conservatorium of Music
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381:Queensland Conservatorium of Music
171:, Roméo in Charles Gounod's opera
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956:Certificate of Discharge No.18841
177:and Turiddu in Pietro Mascagni's
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1061:Australian Chart Book 1970–1992
1016:Celebration – 40 Years of Opera
713:Celebration – 40 Years of Opera
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388:Celebration – 40 Years of Opera
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281:opposite the English soprano
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892:Maria F. Rich, ed. (1976).
823:Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
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743:Order of the British Empire
604:The Girl of the Golden West
563:. He also performed at the
321:, and the King Gustavus in
231:Sadlers Wells Opera Company
192:In 1952, after winning the
43:at the Sydney Opera House.
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1132:Australian operatic tenors
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966:Music Council of Australia
847:Donald Smith Sings for You
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522:, singing Count Almaviva (
375:, where he sang with Dame
47:Early years and background
1142:Musicians from Queensland
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508:National School of Opera
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1005:The Wolanski Foundation
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260:Girl of the Golden West
122:Repatriation Department
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488:, the Duke of Mantua (
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1137:People from Bundaberg
729:His eldest grandson,
525:The Barber of Seville
482:), the title role in
455:Michael William Balfe
308:La fanciulla del West
207:The Barber of Seville
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24:
1021:17 July 2011 at the
992:25 July 2011 at the
971:23 July 2008 at the
621:Un ballo in maschera
560:Un ballo in maschera
324:Un Ballo In Maschera
180:Cavalleria Rusticana
41:the Australian Opera
1045:It's an Honour: OBE
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672:and members of the
644:The Flying Dutchman
632:The Flying Dutchman
436:country and western
79:believed to be the
64:Westbrook Farm Home
30:Donald Sydney Smith
938:. 15 November 2001
895:Who's Who in Opera
805:His Master's Voice
788:Donald Smith Sings
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670:Elizabeth Fretwell
666:Sydney Opera House
353:Elizabeth Fretwell
305:, Dick Johnson in
128:department store.
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51:Smith was born in
27:
1104:978-1-86373-898-9
873:
872:
781:
686:I masnadieri
601:), Dick Johnson (
588:Il trovatore
565:Royal Opera House
547:operas including
497:Roméo et Juliette
460:The Bohemian Girl
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174:Roméo et Juliette
141:The Bohemian Girl
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1127:1998 deaths
1122:1920 births
1057:Kent, David
807:(OASD-7584)
749:Discography
731:Jason Cundy
653:, featured
340:, featured
272:Il Trittico
194:Mobil Quest
126:David Jones
1116:Categories
876:References
833:Format: LP
772:positions
770:Peak chart
680:Adelaide.
659:Tito Gobbi
579:Amy Shuard
494:), Roméo (
420:New Guinea
346:Tito Gobbi
283:Amy Shuard
57:Queensland
818:Serenades
599:Rigoletto
555:Rigoletto
516:Ken Neate
503:Pagliacci
491:Rigoletto
467:'s opera
416:Milne Bay
303:Rigoletto
287:Pagliacci
236:Rigoletto
186:Pagliacci
168:Rigoletto
118:Toowoomba
113:Bundaberg
76:Milne Bay
53:Bundaberg
1059:(1993).
1019:Archived
990:Archived
969:Archived
860:Cassette
797:Format:
574:Turandot
470:Maritana
441:Brisbane
278:Turandot
147:Maritana
1082:Sources
803:Label:
737:Honours
626:Fidelio
330:Fidelio
1101:
1067:
942:6 June
911:6 June
902:
821:(with
764:Title
754:Albums
715:, and
706:Legacy
550:Attila
479:Carmen
403:Wynnum
390:, and
360:métier
248:Ernani
242:Attila
156:Carmen
83:Tasman
651:Tosca
610:Tosca
545:Verdi
485:Faust
338:Tosca
313:Tosca
266:Tosca
162:Faust
37:tenor
1099:ISBN
1065:ISBN
944:2011
913:2011
900:ISBN
616:Aida
557:and
514:and
318:Aida
269:and
841:94
779:AUS
532:'s
457:'s
447:'s
439:to
108:4BU
81:SS
33:OBE
1118::
979:^
934:.
930:.
884:^
869:-
825:)
812:-
799:LP
723:.
702:.
635:.
567:,
553:,
473:.
418:,
398:.
383:.
333:.
263:,
257:,
251:,
245:,
239:,
226:.
55:,
1107:.
1073:.
946:.
915:.
102:)
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