Bella Griffith Smith, Lirico Spinto Soprano, has appeared with the Palm Beach Opera; Brevard Opera, North Carolina; Miami Philharmonic Opera Lyrica; and in concerts in Toronto, New York and South Florida.

She has performed the roles of Madame Butterfly (left), Miami, Micaela, Marguerite, Tosca, Suzanne (Il Segreto), Celidora, Santuzza, Neda, Giorgetta, Antonia and Suor Angelica.

Bella appeared in concerts as Turandot, Salome, Selika, Isabella, Helmwige, Countess, Aida, Ernani and in oratoria.

"It was a remarkable combination of the thespian art, vocal talent and Tersichorean effort..."
Salome R. Strauss - Palm Beach Post

"(as Micaela) "Crystal tones, unequaled by many would-be stars in the realm of opera."
Miami Herald

"A Butterfly more physically expressive and a beautifully -colored voce with secure top notes which project well"
Palm Beach Post

"(as the Countess) Bella Smith has a wonderful voice."
Brevard, North Carolina

"(Tosca) Powerful, well-controlled singing, impassioned and impressive Butterfly Went straight to the heart, vocally and dramatically, resonant, vibrant extra-dimension, a well-proportioned mixture of delicacy and strength."
 

Voice & Music Studies

  1. Private Studies with Howard Thain (A.R.C.M.) - The Royal College of Music, London, England. (Howard Thain, pupil of Enrico Rosati, teacher of Beniamino Gigli and Mario Lanza. Also studied with Stracciari, Panzera, Thill, Raphael, and others.) Howard Thain also has concert recordings under the Pearl Record Label. The United Kingdom.
     
  2. Private Studies with Dr. Paul Csonka, Conductor, Palm Beach Opera.
     
  3. Private Studies with Giuseppe Campora, Tenor of La Scala Opera and the Metropolitan Opera

Awards & Recognition

Marquis Who's Who - Wilmette, Illinois
Who's Who in Entertainment - Wilmette, Illinois
Who's Who in the South and Southwest - Wilmette, Illinois
Who's Who in the Word - Wilmette, Illinois
Who's Who of American Women - Wilmette, Illinois
American Biographical Institute - Raleigh, North Carolina
Two Thousand Notable Women (A.B.I.) - Raleigh, North Carolina
World Institute of Achievements (A.B.I.) - Raleigh, North Carolina
International Biographical Centre, Fellow - Cambridge, England
Who's Who of Intellectuals - Cambridge, England
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind - Miami, Florida
Dade County Girl Scouts - Miami, Florida
Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, Inc. - Miami, Florida
The Diamond Award, Noticias Del Mundo - New York, New York
Friendship Award - Federal Republic of Germany
l'Academy Du Var Passage De la Corderie - Marseille, France
National Music Museum 56 Laurie Park Gardens - London, England

Professional Experience

1959-1984 Opera Singer
1977-2005 Artistic Director Opera Company
1977-2005 Public Relations
1977-2005 Fund-Raising
1977-2005 Playwright
1977-2005 Video/Film Producer, Writer, Director
1984-2005 Vocal Coach
1990-2005 Conductor

Musical Direction and Writing

  1. Developed the original concert/drama concept
  2. Produced, wrote and directed original film/video to acquaint high school students with opera
  3. Created and staged the original ballet (Introduction & Allegro by Ravel)

Film & Video

  1. Truncated original script of the African-American artist Paul Robeson
  2. Scenes of the Vietnam War
  3. Opera TOSCA
  4. The ROCKING HORSE, a children's film (background music serves as introduction to the German masters)

Films Exhibited

  1. Channel 18 Coral Gables
    Coral Gables Library for Children - 2 times
    John Smith Elementary School
  2. Channel 17 (now WLRN) - Dade County Educational Channel

International Relations

  1. Worked and coordinated presentation of 120 Members of the U.S. Army Band and Chorus and the Herald Trumpets.
  2. Coordinated project with the French consulate for the Bicentennial of the French Revolution
  3. Worked with German Consulate for concerts and a special concert for the Day of Germany Unity - October 3, 1990.

Special Affiliations

  1. Cultural Chairman for the Coral Gables People to People Program
  2. Special Events Chairman for the United States Army - Gulf Stream Chapter

Appearances and Performances

  1. Palm Beach Opera - Palm Beach, Florida
  2. Opera Lyrica - Lake Worth, Florida
  3. Greater Miami Opera - Miami, Florida
  4. Brevard Music Series - Brevard, North Carolina
  5. Greater Miami Philharmonic - Miami, Florida
  6. Miami Music Club - Miami, Florida
  7. Flagler Museum - Palm Beach, Florida
  8. Breakers Hotel - Palm Beach, Florida
  9. Norton Gallery of Art - West Palm Beach, Florida
  10. Hungarian Jewish Association - Toronto, Canada
  11. North Miami Beach Concert Series - North Miami, Florida
  12. Boca Raton Hotel and Club - Boca Raton, Florida
  13. Miami Dade Junior College - Miami, Florida
  14. Palm Beach Junior College - Palm Beach, Florida
  15. soloist at numerous churches and synagogues

Summary of Qualifications

  1. Experience in management of all aspects of opera production since 1977.
  2. Experience in coaching vocal technique and career development.
  3. Especially skilled in personnel management among artists and musicians.
  4. Maintained solvency since the incorporation of the Coral Gables Chamber Symphony and Opera Company in 1977.

Click to Play


Un Bel Di


Mi Chiamano Miami


Micaela's Aria


Vissi D' Arte


Ernani Involami (Rehearsal) - Bayfront Park Bandshell, No Amplification


In Questa Reggia (Rehearsal)