Christopher A. Smith is the founding General & Artistic Director of Boston Metro Opera. Under his leadership, the company has earned an international reputation for its “high artistic standard”, “penchant for trendsetting productions”, and exclusive focus on new music. Since 2009, Mr. Smith has produced ninety-four new works with Boston Metro, mostly premieres including one commissioned opera. He has also authored several key initiatives designed to reinvent and revolutionize the opera industry as a whole; amongst these are The Boston-International Contempo Festival, “regarded as one of North America’s most important venues for new works”, Opera on Site, the world’s first virtual opera house also rich in interactivity, Opera Puppets, which produces operas from all eras using modern puppetry, OPERACAPPELLA, a highly specialized vocal ensemble, and The Opera Alliance of Greater Boston, a new coalition of Massachusetts-based opera companies and administrators.
Outside of Boston Metro Opera, Mr. Smith continues to earn critical and popular acclaim for his work as an opera singer, concert soloist, recitalist, and interpreter of new music. Praised for his “remarkable tenor" and "unusual dramatic talent, interesting presence, and vivid projection of text and music", his recent credits include lead roles and solos with companies in New England, New York, and throughout the Midwest and frequent collaborations with many of today’s leading composers. Mr. Smith also works as an independent consultant for artists and arts organizations.
In recognition of his work in opera and vocal music, Mr. Smith has twice received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama.
Outside of Boston Metro Opera, Mr. Smith continues to earn critical and popular acclaim for his work as an opera singer, concert soloist, recitalist, and interpreter of new music. Praised for his “remarkable tenor" and "unusual dramatic talent, interesting presence, and vivid projection of text and music", his recent credits include lead roles and solos with companies in New England, New York, and throughout the Midwest and frequent collaborations with many of today’s leading composers. Mr. Smith also works as an independent consultant for artists and arts organizations.
In recognition of his work in opera and vocal music, Mr. Smith has twice received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama.
B.Mus. in Vocal Performance, Wartburg College; M.Mus. in Vocal Performance, New England Conservatory. Studies with Stephen O'Mara, Patricia Craig, Susan Blumer, Daniel Gast, Rosemary Gast, and David Katz. Opera and vocal coaching with Jeffrey Brody, Michael Strauss, Terry Decima, Timothy Steele, Timothy Shaindlin, and Simon Estes.
