The Third Annual David W. Smith Memorial Gala

UMBC is delighted to announce distinguished operatic soprano and pedagogue Carol Vaness as the guest artist for the Third Annual David W. Smith Memorial Gala to benefit vocal arts at UMBC. Please join us for an unforgettable evening of song and celebration.

David W. Smith was passionate about teaching at UMBC and touched so many lives in his short time here. The Gala honors David Smith’s life as an artist and his commitment to the vocal students at UMBC. Proceeds will support an annual scholarship for a young vocalist pursuing their education at UMBC. Information about the scholarship can be found at davidwsmithscholarship.com.

The first half of the concert program will feature alumni, winners of the scholarship, and a performance by UMBC’s Camarata Chamber Choir under the direction of Stephen Caracciolo.

Ms. Vaness will perform the second half of the program — her biography follows event ticketing information below.

A reception will follow the concert.

David W. Smith was a passionate musician and an inspiring and dedicated educator who passed away in 2009. His world-class dramatic tenor voice could soar or whisper in a multitude of colors and emotions. From Sondheim to Wagner, Dave embodied each song; he communicated with rare talent, expert musicianship and emotional honesty. As an educator, Dave gave to everyone who sang with him a joyful experience, whether in the rehearsal hall, studio, or theater. He listened for the inner voice of every student and helped to set it free. He passionately shaped the voice and shaped the soul of the singer. He listened for the soul of a piece of music and with fine musicianship and extraordinary love drew a passionate performance from a choir or a cast.

Admission:

$100 Gala Ticket (FMV $22) 
$50 UMBC Alumni Ticket (FMV $22) 
All Tickets include the post-concert reception.

Tickets are available here through UMBC’s alumni portal. Please note: Online ticket sales will close at midnight on September 28. (Some tickets might still be available through the music office or at the door. Please contact the Music Office after September 28 at 410-455-2942.) All tickets purchased after September 22 will be held in will call for pick up the day of the event.

Funds raised will be administered by the UMBC Foundation for the benefit of UMBC Music. Proceeds from the event will benefit the David W. Smith Scholarship for Vocal Arts. Your contribution above the Fair Market Value (FMV) may be tax deductible.

Plan your visit
UMBC is located about 10 minutes south of the Inner Harbor along I-95. For this event, free visitor parking is available in Lot 8, directly adjacent to the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, where Linehan Concert Hall is located — please see here for additional information.

Guest Artist: Carol Vaness

Born in San Diego, Carol Vaness launched her professional singing career at the New York City Opera, where she appeared regularly from 1979 to 1983. Since then, she has sung on the world’s biggest stages and at premier music festivals, collaborated with today’s foremost conductors in operatic and symphonic repertoires, appeared on numerous television broadcasts throughout North America and Europe, and compiled a distinguished catalog of recordings.

Her interpretations of Mozart’s dramatic heroines, including Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Donna Anna and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Elettra in Idomeneo, and Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito, have been hailed as definitive, and she has become especially identifiable with the role of Floria Tosca. She performed the title role of Puccini’s Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera in 2004 opposite Pavarotti in the legendary tenor’s final operatic performance.

Vaness made her professional debut as Vitellia for the San Francisco Spring Opera and has been acknowledged as the world’s leading interpreter of this role. She has appeared as Vitellia at the Met Opera, Paris Opera, Royal Opera, Covent Garden, Chicago Lyric Opera and Gran Teatro del Liceo and at the Salzburg Festival and other leading theaters.

Among her many celebrated television appearances, she has been featured on the Pavarotti Plus and Pavarotti and Friends telecasts from Lincoln Center, as well as the Richard Tucker Gala and In Performance at the White House with members of the New York City Opera.