A Few Questions for the Pirate King

Seattle Opera: Did you develop up in a musical household?

Reginald Smith: I am blessed and lucky that I grew up in a really musical household. I come from a household of musicians, singers, and preaching people. I grew up within the church, and the music of the church. However I additionally had classical music throughout me. I grew up in Atlanta and surrounded by black excellence—Spelman and Morehouse faculties, Morris Brown Faculty, and Clark Atlanta College. My mom went to Morris Brown Faculty and was a part of the Marching Wolverines. She performed clarinet from kindergarten all through school and took part within the college choir, and he or she danced.

So sure, I grew up with this nice appreciation for the humanities typically. I used to be a choir child, from second grade all through school. I earned a music schooling diploma. Tosca was the primary opera I noticed. That night singing Baron Scarpia was Donnie Ray Albert. After listening to a Black man performing so very properly, I acquired bit by the opera bug and pursued a profession in opera.

Seattle Opera: However did you ever train?

Reginald Smith: No, I did my pupil educating, after which from there I went proper into this system at Houston Grand Opera.

Reginald Smith, Jr. as Porgy in Porgy and Bess at Washington Nationwide Opera. Picture © Washington Nationwide Opera

Seattle Opera: What are three roles in your bucket listing you’d prefer to carry out?

Reginald Smith: Nicely, I’ve been lucky to have carried out roles that I’ve all the time needed to do.

Seattle Opera: Oh, actually?

Reginald Smith: I’ve carried out the function of Falstaff, which I really like doing. Then there’s Porgy from Porgy and Bess, a personality I’ve all the time needed to painting. I think about Scarpia from Tosca as my dream function. Mr. Scarpia and I get alongside very properly. My profession has been blessed by alternatives to sing items that I actually love. After all, there are all the time items that I need to do, and I do not know if I am going to have the possibility. I’ve lined Rigoletto a number of occasions. Who is aware of if I am going to get solid to do it someplace? If it occurs, nice; if it does not, it is all good.

A present that I might like to do is Puccini’s Il tabarro, the primary Il trittico. I’ve checked out Gianni Schicchi as properly. That’s one other opera that I’d love to do. If I needed to decide one thing fully off the crushed path, it might be Sweeney Todd. Will it occur? Who is aware of?

Bringing this matter to The Pirates of Penzance is fascinating as a result of most of my roles have been unhealthy guys and fathers. I carry out them rather a lot. Individuals know me for these characters. So, after I inform individuals I am doing The Pirates of Penzance, they’re like, ‘What?’ I really like their reactions. I completely adore it. I’ll say, I had the identical response when my supervisor informed me that Seattle Opera was concerned about me because the Pirate King. I mentioned, ‘Actually, of all of the individuals…me?’

Reginald Smith, Jr. because the Pirate King within the College of Kentucky Opera Theatre manufacturing of The Pirates of Penzance. Picture © College of Kentucky Opera Theatre

Seattle Opera: Figuring out that, is that this your first time performing because the Pirate King?

Reginald Smith: Nicely, it’s a skilled function debut. Nevertheless, I did carry out the function of the Pirate King on the College of Kentucky the place I studied. On the time I assumed, ‘Nicely, that is nice. I did it. I haven’t got to do that once more.’ I put the rating on the shelf, after which nearly 15 years later, right here we’re. In some ways it is like a homecoming. Components of it are very acquainted and different elements I ponder, ‘Have I carried out this earlier than?’ So, it is like doing it once more from scratch. You realize, having a little bit life expertise helps and, in fact, my voice is in a distinct place now, so I’m approaching the function in a different way.

Left to proper: Actor Robert Newton as Lengthy John Silver within the 1950 Disney movie adaptation of Treasure Island; comical villain Captain Hook, modeled after Charles II of England, from Disney’s 1953 animated model of Peter Pan; actor Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney’s 2003 Pirates of the Caribbean. Images © Walt Disney Studios

Seattle Opera: Of those three pirates, which one will you most align your method because the Pirate King: Lengthy John Silver from Treasure Island, Captain Hook from Peter Pan, or Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies?

Reginald Smith: Don’t overlook Captain Morgan. Simply kidding. I believe I’m extra like Jack Sparrow. He’s enjoyable and says whimsical, witty issues.

Seattle Opera: What are you binge-watching at the moment?

Reginald Smith: I prefer to channel surf. I’m a giant baseball fan. I’m trying ahead to going to a Mariners recreation—not less than one or two whereas I’m in Seattle. I’m additionally an enormous Disney fanatic. If something, I’ll watch the Disney Channel.

Seattle Opera: One final query: What’s the one merchandise that you simply journey with? 

Reginald Smith: My Roku TV machine so I can watch my favourite channels. And I cook dinner rather a lot. So, I journey with spices. Most Airbnbs may have salt and pepper, and that’s about it. So, I deliver issues like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Cayenne pepper, chili flakes, and different issues.