Tenor JERMAINE SMITH (Sporting Life) is closely associated with this role, in he recently made his debut in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Porgy and Bess as well as in Cape Town Opera’s guest engagement at the newly opened opera house in Oslo, Norway. He has also performed the role in Japan, Germany, Sweden, Austria, The Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. Earlier U.S. performances of the role include Union Ave Opera, Opera Pacific, and Francesca Zambello’s production at both Washington National Opera and LA Opera.

Most recently Smith has brought his portrayal to Paris’ Opéra Comique, the Théâtre de Caen, the Granada Festival, the Opéra de Luxembourg, and the Santa Fe Symphony. His other operatic repertoire includes the title role of Joshua’s Boots (world premiere at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, revival at Kansas City Lyric Opera), as well as Henry Davis in Street Scene and Zodzetrick in Treemonisha (both with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis). He has made numerous appearances with the St. Louis Symphony.

Smith is an alumnus of the New England Conservatory of Music and a faculty member of the University of Missouri, St. Louis.