# Sam Roberts-Smith > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sam_Roberts-Smith > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sam_Roberts-Smith.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Roberts-Smith > Source revision: 1355506504 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Australian operatic baritone (born 1985)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Sam Roberts-Smith | image = Sam Roberts-Smith.jpg | caption = Roberts-Smith in 2018 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|12|30|df=yes}} | birth_place = [Perth](/source/Perth), Western Australia | education = {{unbulleted list|[Hale School](/source/Hale_School)|[Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts](/source/Western_Australian_Academy_of_Performing_Arts)}} [Edith Cowan University](/source/Edith_Cowan_University) | occupation = [Opera](/source/Opera)tic [baritone](/source/baritone) | parents = Sue and [Len Roberts-Smith](/source/Len_Roberts-Smith) | relatives = [Ben Roberts-Smith](/source/Ben_Roberts-Smith) (brother) }} '''Samuel Roberts-Smith''' (born 30 December 1985){{rp|1:07}} is an Australian operatic [baritone](/source/baritone) who has performed with the [Deutsche Oper Berlin](/source/Deutsche_Oper_Berlin),{{cite web|url=https://www.cutcommonmag.com/behind-the-curtain-sam-roberts-smith-baritone/|title=Behind the Curtain – Sam Roberts-Smith, baritone|author=Stephanie Eslake|work=CutCommon|date=4 June 2018|access-date=22 November 2018}} [Opera Australia](/source/Opera_Australia),{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/carmen-20110116-19shn.html|title=Carmen|last=McCallum|first=Peter|date=2011-01-16|website=[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)|access-date=2019-09-19}} [West Australian Opera](/source/West_Australian_Opera),{{Cite web|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/review-the-merry-widow-west-australian-opera/|title=''The Merry Widow'' (West Australian Opera)|website=[Limelight](/source/Limelight_(magazine))|access-date=2019-09-19}} [the Ten Tenors](/source/the_Ten_Tenors),{{Cite web|url=http://www.finehomesandliving.com/Interview-with-Sam-Roberts-Smith-of-The-Ten-Tenors/|title=Interview with Sam Roberts-Smith of The Ten Tenors|website=finehomesandliving.com|access-date=2019-09-20}} [Sydney Philharmonia](/source/Sydney_Philharmonia_Choirs),{{Cite web|publisher=[Sydney Philharmonia Choirs](/source/Sydney_Philharmonia_Choirs)|title=An Intimate Evening with Brahms|url=https://sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/concerts/brahms-requiem/|access-date=2020-10-26}} [Queensland Symphony Orchestra](/source/Queensland_Symphony_Orchestra),{{Cite web|url=http://www.airbtw.com/index.php/australia/entertainment/167-coming-up-with-the-queensland-symphony-orchestra|title=Coming up with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra|website=AirBTW News|access-date=2019-10-22}} [Orchestra Victoria](/source/Orchestra_Victoria), [West Australian Symphony Orchestra](/source/West_Australian_Symphony_Orchestra) and various other opera companies in Australia and overseas.[https://chooseyourcruise.com.au/performers/sam-roberts-smith/ Sam Roberts-Smith], profile at chooseyourcruise.com.au ==Early life and education== Roberts-Smith was born in [Perth](/source/Perth), Western Australia, to Sue and [Len Roberts-Smith](/source/Len_Roberts-Smith). He attended [Hale School](/source/Hale_School),[https://www.oldhale.com/Notable-Old-Haleians/The-Arts "Notable Old Haleians – The Arts"], [Hale School](/source/Hale_School) as did his older brother, [Ben Roberts-Smith](/source/Ben_Roberts-Smith). He graduated from the [Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts](/source/Western_Australian_Academy_of_Performing_Arts) in 2008 where he sang in an alternating cast the role of [John Proctor](/source/John_Proctor_(Salem_witch_trials)) in the Australian premiere of [Robert Ward](/source/Robert_Ward_(composer))'s opera ''[The Crucible](/source/The_Crucible_(opera))''.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-219294106/listen "Samuel Roberts-Smith interviewed by Diana Ritch"], sound recording and transcript, [Trove](/source/Trove), 18 March 2010{{rp|18:28}} He has a [master's degree](/source/master's_degree) in [Human Resource Management](/source/Human_resource_management) from [Edith Cowan University](/source/Edith_Cowan_University).{{Cite web|title=West Australian Opera - WAO Ghost Spotlight with Sam Roberts-Smith|url=https://www.waopera.asn.au/news-stories/wao-ghost-spotlight-with-sam-roberts-smith/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=[West Australian Opera](/source/West_Australian_Opera)}} == Career == Roberts-Smith joined Opera Australia in 2009 where he made his principal debut as Moralès in ''[Carmen](/source/Carmen)'' in 2011. That same year Roberts-Smith joined the Opera Australia Young Artist Program{{Cite web|url=http://www.theoperablog.com/young-artist-program-a-new-generation-of-singers/|title=Young Artist Program: A new generation of singers|last=Foundry|first=The Theme|website=theoperablog.com|access-date=2019-09-19}} and subsequently the principal artist ensemble.{{Cite web|url=https://opera.org.au/artists/sam-roberts-smith|title=Sam Roberts-Smith|publisher=[Opera Australia](/source/Opera_Australia)|access-date=2019-09-22}} He performed Opera Australia repertoire including ''[Macbeth](/source/Macbeth_(Verdi))'', ''[The Mikado](/source/The_Mikado)'', ''[A Midsummer Nights Dream](/source/A_Midsummer_Night's_Dream_(opera))'', ''[La bohème](/source/La_boh%C3%A8me)'', ''[Lakmé](/source/Lakm%C3%A9)'', ''[Eugene Onegin](/source/Eugene_Onegin_(opera))'', ''[Tosca](/source/Tosca)'', ''[Manon](/source/Manon)'', ''[La traviata](/source/La_traviata)'', ''Carmen'', ''[Der Rosenkavalier](/source/Der_Rosenkavalier)'', ''[La sonnambula](/source/La_sonnambula)'', ''[Les pêcheurs de perles](/source/Les_p%C3%AAcheurs_de_perles)'', ''[Madama Butterfly](/source/Madama_Butterfly)'', ''[La fanciulla del West](/source/La_fanciulla_del_West)'', ''[Il trovatore](/source/Il_trovatore)'', ''[The Magic Flute](/source/The_Magic_Flute)'', ''[Bliss](/source/Bliss_(opera))'', ''[Rigoletto](/source/Rigoletto)'', and ''[Don Giovanni](/source/Don_Giovanni)''.{{Cite web|url=http://pacificopera.com.au/news/success-stories-from-pacific-opera|title=Success Stories from Pacific Opera|publisher=[Pacific Opera](/source/Pacific_Opera)|access-date=2019-09-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kathrynmorrisonmanagement.com/samrobertssmith|title=Artist Biography|website=Kathryn Morrison Management|access-date=2019-09-22|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122215346/https://www.kathrynmorrisonmanagement.com/samrobertssmith/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lyricopera.com.au/sam-roberts-smith|title=Sam Roberts-Smith|website=lyricopera.com.au|access-date=2019-09-22}} Roberts-Smith joined The Ten Tenors from 2015 to 2017,[http://thetentenors.com/sam-roberts-smith-joins-the-ten-tenors/ "Sam Roberts-Smith joins The Ten Tenors"], thetentenors.com, 16 April 2015 and toured Australia, the US and Argentina with them.{{cite web|url=http://www.finehomesandliving.com/Interview-with-Sam-Roberts-Smith-of-The-Ten-Tenors/|title=Interview with Sam Roberts-Smith of The Ten Tenors|author=Erica Miner|work=Fine Magazine|location=San Diego|date=December 2015|access-date=22 November 2018}} Recorded DVD performances include Remendado in ''Carmen'' for Opera Australia in their 2013 [Handa](/source/Haruhisa_Handa) Opera on Sydney Harbour by [ABC Classics](/source/ABC_Classics),[https://www.abcmusic.com.au/discography/handa-opera-sydney-harbour-%E2%80%93-georges-bizet-carmen "Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – Georges Bizet: ''Carmen''"], recording details, [ABC Classics](/source/ABC_Classics) and ''Der Rosenkavalier''{{Cite web|url=https://newyorkarts.net/2010/11/opera-australias-der-rosenkavalier/|title=Opera Australia's ''Der Rosenkavalier''|last=Andrew Miller|website=New York Arts|access-date=2019-09-19}} recorded live at the [Sydney Opera House](/source/Sydney_Opera_House). In August 2014, he was invited to sing [the national anthem](/source/Advance_Australia_Fair) at the National Memorial Service for the victims of [Malaysia Airlines Flight 17](/source/Malaysia_Airlines_Flight_17), held at Melbourne's [St Patrick's Cathedral](/source/St_Patrick's_Cathedral%2C_Melbourne).{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nation-mourns-our-38-mh17-victims-at-national-memorial-service-at-melbournes-st-patricks-cathedral/news-story/b6ee4aaa64e2ee7ec36aa1ae0cfd3783|title=Nation mourns our 38 MH17 victims at national memorial service at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral|work=[Herald Sun](/source/Herald_Sun)|date=7 August 2014}} [Prime Minister Tony Abbott](/source/Tony_Abbott) and Governor-General Sir [Peter Cosgrove](/source/Peter_Cosgrove) attended the service joined by premiers and chief ministers, the public, and families of the victims.{{Cite web |date=2014-08-07 |title=Nation mourns our 38 MH17 victims |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/nation-mourns-our-38-mh17-victims-at-national-memorial-service-at-melbournes-st-patricks-cathedral-ng-bcbe079a1771795657c7b9158bc74c23 |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=[PerthNow](/source/PerthNow)}} Later that year, he toured China with the Australian International Opera Company as Count Almaviva in Mozart's ''[The Marriage of Figaro](/source/The_Marriage_of_Figaro)''.[https://www.theoperafoundation.com.au/deutsche-oper-berlin/ Recent winners – 2016], Opera Foundation for Young Australians – Deutsche Oper Berlin Award On the concert stage, he sang with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in ''[Messiah](/source/Messiah_(Handel)).'' Roberts-Smith appeared opposite [Emma Matthews](/source/Emma_Matthews) in 2016 as Zurga in the West Australian Opera production of Bizet's ''Les pêcheurs de perles''.[https://www.communitynews.com.au/eastern-reporter/lifestyle/baritone-sam-roberts-smith-gets-hooked-on-wa-operas-the-pearl-fishers/ "Baritone Sam Roberts-Smith gets hooked on WA Opera's ''The Pearl Fishers''"] by Tanya MacNaughton, ''[Eastern Reporter](/source/Community_Newspaper_Group)'', Bayswater, Western Australia, 18 October 2016 For Deutsche Oper Berlin he has appeared in over a dozen productions, including ''La traviata'' opposite [Leo Nucci](/source/Leo_Nucci) in August 2017,{{Cite web|url=https://www.deutscheoperberlin.de/en_EN/calendar/production/la-traviata.1112955|title=''La traviata'' – Calendar|publisher=[Deutsche Oper Berlin](/source/Deutsche_Oper_Berlin)|access-date=2019-09-20}} [''Il Barbiere di Siviglia''](/source/The_Barber_of_Seville) in October 2017,{{Cite web|url=https://www.operabase.com/artists/sam-roberts-smith-32799/en|title=Sam Roberts-Smith, baritone|publisher=[Operabase](/source/Operabase)|access-date=2019-09-22}} ''[Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk](/source/Lady_Macbeth_of_Mtsensk_(opera))'' in April 2018, ''Rigoletto'' in May 2018 opposite [Simon Keenlyside](/source/Simon_Keenlyside),{{Cite web|url=http://www.simonkeenlyside.info/index.php/performances/performances-opera/rigoletto-verdi-rigoletto/2018-berlin-deutsche-oper-rigoletto/|title=2018-05, Berlin, Deutsche Oper, ''Rigoletto''|website=simonkeenlyside.info|access-date=2019-09-19}} ''[Il viaggio a Reims](/source/Il_viaggio_a_Reims)'' in June 2018,{{Cite web|url=http://www.deutscheoperberlin.de/en_EN/calendar/il-viaggio-a-reims.14537338|title=''Il viaggio a Reims''|website=deutscheoperberlin.de|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}} and ''[Andrea Chénier](/source/Andrea_Ch%C3%A9nier)'' in November 2018. In 2019, Roberts-Smith appeared in ''La traviata'' for West Australian Opera,{{Cite web|url=https://www.waopera.asn.au/show/city-of-perth-opera-in-the-park-la-traviata/|title=City of Perth Opera in the Park: ''La traviata''|publisher=[West Australian Opera](/source/West_Australian_Opera)|access-date=2019-09-19}} [understudied](/source/Understudy) the role of [Judge Turpin](/source/Judge_Turpin) and performed in the TEG Life Like Company's ''[Sweeney Todd](/source/Sweeney_Todd%3A_The_Demon_Barber_of_Fleet_Street)'' starring [Anthony Warlow](/source/Anthony_Warlow) and [Gina Riley](/source/Gina_Riley),{{Cite web|url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/sweeney-todd-full-cast-announced|title=''Sweeney Todd'' – Full Cast Announced|website=stagewhispers.com.au|access-date=2019-09-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://lifelikecompany.com/|title=TEG Life Like Company – ''Sweeney Todd'' starring Anthony Warlow & Gina Riley|access-date=2019-09-20}} performed [''Brahms' Requiem''](/source/A_German_Requiem_(Brahms)) with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs,{{Cite web|url=https://sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/concerts/brahms-requiem/|title=Sydney Philharmonia Choirs {{!}} An Intimate Evening with Brahms|access-date=2019-09-20}} the title role in ''The Marriage of Figaro'' for the Australian International Productions tour of China,{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/australianinternationalproductions/posts/2864273660251220|title=Australian International Productions|website=facebook.com|access-date=2019-09-20}} and starred in [Barry Conyngham](/source/Barry_Conyngham)'s Australian opera ''Fly''.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/fly-review-an-emotional-slice-of-australian-opera-history-20190826-p52ksu.html|title=''Fly'' review: an emotional slice of Australian opera history|last=Davies|first=Bridget|date=2019-08-26|website=[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)|access-date=2019-09-20}}{{Cite web|url=http://operachaser.blogspot.com/|title=OperaChaser|website=operachaser.blogspot.com|access-date=2019-09-20}} In October that year, Roberts-Smith performed the title character in the Australian premiere of [''The Enchanted Pig''](/source/The_Enchanted_Pig_(opera)){{Cite web|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/the-enchanted-pig-gertrude-opera-yarra-valley-opera-festival/|title=★★★★☆ ''The Enchanted Pig'' (Gertrude Opera, Yarra Valley Opera Festival)|magazine=[Limelight](/source/Limelight_(magazine))|access-date=2019-10-21}} in collaboration with internationally renowned director [Gale Edwards](/source/Gale_Edwards) and [Academy Award](/source/Academy_Awards) winning costume designer Tim Chappel. Performances took place in the [Yarra Valley](/source/Yarra_Valley) in regional Victoria as part of Australia's only international opera festival.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-stage-show/yarra-valley-opera-festival/11602856|title=Australia's only international opera festival comes to the Yarra Valley|date=2019-10-15|website=[Radio National](/source/Radio_National)|location=Australia|access-date=2019-10-21}} 2020 saw Roberts-Smith perform in the historic timber town of [Jarrahdale](/source/Jarrahdale%2C_Western_Australia) at ‘Opera at the Mill’,{{Cite web|date=2020-03-02|title=Songs under the stars: Opera at the Mill returns to Jarrahdale|url=https://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/6657343/songs-under-the-stars-opera-at-the-mill-returns-to-jarrahdale/|access-date=2020-08-04|website=Mandurah Mail}} a joint venture between West Australian Opera and the [Shire of Serpentine](/source/Shire_of_Serpentine%E2%80%93Jarrahdale). In March, Roberts-Smith travelled to [São Paulo](/source/S%C3%A3o_Paulo), Brazil, to again perform with The Ten Tenors.{{Cite web|title=Get ready to feel the love, Brazil! – The Ten Tenors|url=https://thetentenors.com/get-ready-to-feel-the-love-brazil/|access-date=2020-08-04|website=thetentenors.com}} Due to the global spread of [COVID-19](/source/COVID-19), the tour was cancelled before performances took place. In October 2020, as West Australian social distancing restrictions eased, Roberts-Smith performed the role of Guglielmo in Mozart's ''[Così fan tutte](/source/Cos%C3%AC_fan_tutte)'' for West Australian Opera, the first major opera company to return to live performance with a fully staged production in Australia.{{Cite web|last=Appleby|first=Rosalind|date=2020-10-23|title=A beautiful but chilling return to live opera|url=https://www.seesawmag.com.au/2020/10/a-beautiful-but-chilling-return-to-live-opera|access-date=2020-10-25|website=Seesawmag}} == Accolades == He has won numerous Australian and international awards, including the [Joan Sutherland](/source/Joan_Sutherland) Vocal Scholarship,[http://barihunks.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-inteview-with-sam-roberts-smith.html "An interview with Sam Roberts-Smith"], barihunks, 12 March 2016 first place in the 2009 [Australian Singing Competition](/source/Australian_Singing_Competition), Symphony Australia Young Vocalist Award,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/721382/InsideWAAPA_Issue_45_Web.pdf|title=Berlin bound: Sam Roberts-Smith wins to sing at one of the world's great opera houses|page=11|magazine=Inside WAAPA|number=45|date=September 2016|publisher=[Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts](/source/Western_Australian_Academy_of_Performing_Arts)|access-date=2026-05-22}} Best Performance Award at the 2014 [Paris Opera Awards](/source/Paris_Opera_Awards),{{Cite web|url=https://www.pizzicato.lu/paris-opera-awards-for-six-singers/|title=Paris Opera Awards for Six Singers|date=2014-11-23|website=Pizzicato.lu|access-date=2026-05-22}} and the inaugural Deutsche Oper Berlin Award in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/sam-roberts-smith-wins-opera-gold/|title=Sam Roberts-Smith wins opera gold|author=Jo Litson|work=[Limelight](/source/Limelight_(magazine))|date=29 August 2016|access-date=22 November 2018}} In 2015 the West Australian Opera selected Roberts-Smith as a Mentored Artist in 2015.[http://www.ampag.com.au/article/west-australian-opera-announces-2015-mentored-artists "West Australian Opera announces 2015 Mentored Artists"], Australian Major Performing Arts Group, 28 May 2015 In 2021, he made the dean's list at Edith Cowan University School of Business and Law.{{Cite web|last=Edith Cowan University|first=Perth|date=2016-04-28|title=Dean's List|url=https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/business-and-law/our-students/competitions-and-prizes/deans-list|access-date=2021-05-09|website=ECU}} ==References== ==External links== *{{IMDb name|7837590}} *[https://opera.org.au/artists/sam-roberts-smith Profile] at [Opera Australia](/source/Opera_Australia) *[https://www.deutscheoperberlin.de/en_EN/ensemble/124366 Profile] at [Deutsche Oper Berlin](/source/Deutsche_Oper_Berlin) {{in lang|de}} *{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0002992232|tab=credits}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Opera}} {{Authority control|state=collapsed}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts-Smith, Sam}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Perth, Western Australia Category:People educated at Hale School Category:Australian operatic baritones Category:21st-century Australian male opera singers Category:Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alumni --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sam Roberts-Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Roberts-Smith) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Roberts-Smith?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.