Musical Theatre & Operetta Bio
International singer, Linda Lane Smith, has a versatile, warm, powerful voice that exudes her own unique, sparkling personality. She reinvents herself each time she performs, having won accolades in everything from grand opera to sacred repertoire to musical theatre, and awards singing both classical music and opera. Many have said, after hearing Linda Lane sing, a line similar to that used by Leontyne Price when listening to a playback of her own voice in a recording session: “Now, that girl can sing!” And the praise doesn’t stop there: she has also been singled out for her acting.
A native of rural Oregon, Linda recently made her U.S. musical theatre debut playing (to the hilt!) the role of Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, directed by Brad Mooy. Winner of the Silver Medal in the Vinas International Singing Competition in Barcelona, Spain; a finalist in the International Contemporary Opera competition in NYC; and a finalist in the Annelise Rothenberger Competition in Hamburg, Germany, Ms. Smith has been heard at the Theatre des Westens in Berlin and the Graz Opera House, the Schauspiel Haus, and the Rittersaahl der Residenze in Austria, as well as at Wolf Trap, Seattle, Dallas and Portland Opera Housees, and in recital (lieder) with pianist Norman Shetler.
She was invited to appear at the Kennedy Center’s bicentennial celebration as a soloist, and asked by composer Thomas Pasatieri to create the role of Clara in the world premiere of his opera, Signor Deluso. Other appearances include solo performances at the Monte Carlo Festival and the Salzburg Summer Festival. Proficient in many languages (German, French, Greek, Italian, Albanian, Czech, English and Latin), she has performed under the batons of such notables as Donald Runnicles, Sarah Caldwell, Thomas Pasatieri, John Moriarty, Benton Hess, John Mauceri, Christopher Keen, Harold Heiberg, Dan Smith, David Triestram, Gibner (Ben) King, William Huckaby, Gian Carlo Menotti, John Reardon, Francis Rizzo, Julis Rudel and Erick Werba.
Directors with whom Ms. Smith has had the privilege to work include Rhoda Lhevine, Lotfi Masouri, Sarah Caldwell, David Barthlomew and Francis Rizzo, in addition to those already mentioned.
Ms. Smith received a Bachelor’s degree from Boston Conservatory and a Performance Certificiate from the Mozarteum in Salzburg. She studied with Arlene Auger, Gibner King, John Large, Elena Nikolaidi, Irma Cooper, Burton Coffin and Iride Pilla. Winning many international singing competitions afforded her the opportunity to sing as a featured guest soloist aboard the Soviet Cruise Ship T.S. Maxim Gorky with German passengers. This purveyed an all-expense-paid, first-class passage to see the world.
Linda Lane currently resides in New York City, where she coaches with Phil Hall and Robert Hess.