| Tyler Wayne Smith |
| Counter Tenor |
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| Countertenor Tyler Wayne Smith was
educated at one of the premiere drama schools in the U.S., New York
University, and has studied voice with several disciples of
revolutionary vocal pedagogue Cornelius Reid, including his current
teacher, Lenora Eve. "Possessing a decadent elegance, as well as a rich
and commanding voice," (Olga Privman, ReviewFix.com) Mr. Smith is
proving to be a countertenor of considerable promise. Among his upcoming performances, Mr. Smith will be making his Broadway debut as Mary Sunshine in Chicago in August 2011. Most recently Mr. Smith appeared as Mary Sunshine in the National Tour of Chicago in May 2011. He also sang the role of the Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel with Opera Manhattan Repertory Theatre and Opera Breve New York. Blogger David Browning (Taminophile.com) said of his performance with OMRT, “The true star of any Hansel and Gretel is, of course, the witch, and in this case that was true in spades…countertenor Tyler Wayne Smith…was the witch of any reviewer’s dream.” In the fall, Mr. Smith essayed the role of Goffredo in Handel's Rinaldo with NY Opera Forum. Of his performance, Louise T. Guinther, Senior Editor of Opera News, writes, "When Tyler Wayne Smith, a countertenor I'd never heard of, sailed through Handel's formidable hurdles unscathed, in a voice of rich resonance and expressive warmth - surely these earnest performers' labor was not lost." This year, Mr. Smith also sang the roles of La tasse chinoise and La libellule in Pocket Opera New York's production of L'enfant et les sortileges. In addition Mr. Smith performed Athamas in Camerata Baroque's Semele, and he was featured in a leading role in the North American Premiere of the German Opera 3x3=Infinity in Boston, MA, with Juventas New Music Ensemble. He was "utterly fantastic" (ReviewFix.com) as the Sorceress in Purcell's Dido & Aeneas with Opera Manhattan, and essayed the role of Ruggiero in Handel's Alcina with NY Opera Forum at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium. In 2009 Mr. Smith performed the title role in Opera Breve New York's production of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, under the direction of renowned Mezzo-Soprano Eugenie Grunewald, and performed the role of Sesto in Camerata Baroque's premiere production of Handel's Giulio Cesare. Mr. Smith is the first countertenor to be a member of Opera Singers Initiative, an organization from which he won the 2010 Young Opera Debut Recital Award. As a recipient of this inaugural award, Mr. Smith will be making his New York recital debut at the prestigious Symphony Space in April of 2012. On the concert stage, Mr. Smith appeared as a guest artist at Midwestern State University's Akin Auditorium, giving a solo recital of Baroque opera and oratorio arias, and performed a duo concert of Baroque arias and duets at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in New York City. 7/18/11 |