World Famous Tenors - Donald Smith - Dreams Are Such Wonderful Things

“Donald Sydney Smith” OBE (27 July 1920– 1 December 1998) was an Australian operatic tenor. His voice had a bright Italianate quality which could match, in size carrying power and tonal allure, the voices of most sopranos and mezzos. He attracted a fiercely loyal public following, and many Australians who had no prior experience of opera became opera lovers through Smith's work. His performances were regularly sold out with The Australian Opera at the Sydney Opera House. Donald Smith began his singing career on the local radio station 4BU Bundaberg, firstly singing mainly 'country and western’ music. He also toured the local area with a group called ‘Novac’s Troupers'. Although a natural tenor voice from birth, it is understood that Donald had his first ‘singing lesson’ in Bundaberg with a lady named Kate Gratehead. It was she who helped him refine his musical ability and vocal technique for his natural tenor voice. Following Donald’s return to civilian life after being discharged from the Army, he and Joy firstly relocated from Bundaberg to Toowoomba and then eventually to Brisbane. In Brisbane Donald found work as a clerk with the Government's ‘Repatriation Department’. He also found additional work to support his young family, including that as a ‘lift driver’ in a David Jones department store. This recording with the Sydney State Theatre Wurlitzer was made in May 1958.