Christian Smith - Director

Previously at Portland Opera: Madame Butterfly, 2005

Highlights:  Die Fledermaus for televised New York farewell performance of Beverly Sills (New York City Opera).  Directing credits throughout the United States and Canada though primarily for New York City theaters including: Town Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Radio City Music Hall and New York State Theater.  His credits also include a popular “Opera Symposium” at Radio City Music Hall and a series of his operettas played Avery Fisher Hall and prominent cities across the country.  As a performer he appeared with New York City Opera and other United States companies and on Broadway in Man of La Mancha and Paradise Island. 

Christian Smith became involved with the Frank Corsaro Madame Butterfly when he joined the New York City Opera Staging Staff in 1976.  The production had been in the NYCO repertoire and while working with Frank he learned much of the blocking from Maralin Niska and Patricia Craig, the two reigning Butterfly's with the Company at the time.  In his 20 years as Stage Director with New York City Opera, he had the privilege of directing the following ladies who performed Butterfly in this NYCO production:  Sung Sook Lee, Esther Hinds, Awilda Verdejo, Marilyn Zschau, Suzanne Sonnenschein, Judith Haddon, Catherine Lamy, Louisa Jonason, Maria Spacagna, Edith Davis Elizabeth Caron, Marianna Christos, Young Mi Kim, Eva Zseller, Elisabeth Holleque, Marianne Telese, Michele Boucher, Geraldine McMillan, Nikki Li Hartliep, Oksana Krovytska and Judith Anthony and Stephanie Sundine who he prepared as covers.  Smith gleaned nuances from each and every one of these ladies, which he has passed on to the successive Butterfly's.  Smith’s last Butterfly in this production was Shu-Ying Li for the Portland Opera's 04/05 Season.  This will be Smith’s 22nd Butterfly in this production.