Aidan Smith: opera singer

Aidan Smith is not only an opera singer but a keen rugby player and theatre lover. A new associate artist with Welsh National Opera, he performs in William Tell and Carmen for the company this autumn 

What made you want to pursue opera?

I went to a youth theatre in Cheltenham, the Everyman Theatre, and I did a few productions like Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and A Christmas Carol, before I attended drama and singing classes. When I was in sixth form I studied with Maria Jagusz, and she said: “You should think about doing opera”, but I had never experienced opera before. Then I got into music college and the rest is history.

You created the role of Kevin in The Office – The Opera for Comic Relief. Did you enjoy taking part?

Yes. I love doing off-the-wall things, so The Office – The Opera was a great project. What I really love doing is introducing people to opera. Obviously I love it, but it takes time to get into, especially if you don’t have that background, so doing something like The Office – The Opera introduces people to opera singers and what they do.

What do you feel has been your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is being a freelancer. You end up working everywhere, so most of your time is spent travelling and learning music. You have to work constantly to make ends meet. Trying to deliver top-quality performances after having driven for six hours is really hard. My biggest challenge was going to the National Opera Studio – I found that to be daunting, because it’s taking a big step in terms of perfection. Everything you do is judged by these very important people who are very difficult to get auditions with.

If given the chance, would you go back to doing straight theatre?

I would definitely go back and perform in straight theatre – I miss it. Musical theatre, for me, seems a bit cheap. When you’ve been in opera, and you’ve been striving to create this amazing piece of art, and then you go and see something that’s being churned out day after day, it seems soulless to me. But I would love to do straight theatre again, because I miss being in a theatre and performing for the emotion of the piece, which opera doesn’t have because you’ve got to use your head.

What has been your favourite project?

My favourite opera that I have ever sung in would be La Boheme. It was a small production, but it was wonderful. We had two weeks to put it together and it was my first time singing Colline, and the piece itself is just beautiful.

Luke O’Connor

William Tell runs at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from September 12 to October 4, then touring. Carmen runs at the venue from September 19 to October 2, then touring.

CV: Aidan Smith

Training: Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2002-06), Royal Academy of Music (2006-07), National Opera Studio (2011-12)

First professional job: Death in Venice, Aldeburgh and Bregenz Festivals

Agent: John Owen, Owen White Management

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