Reviews
[Morgan] comes over as a completely believable Don, with a kind of charisma, with a kind of attack that draws people to him automatically. Watch a video of Speight Jenkins talking about Morgan ...
- Speight Jenkins, Seattle Opera
Available Fall '07 from NAXOS - The international release of the world premiere recording of For a Look or a Touch, by Jake Heggie. Read the story behind the genesis of Heggie's "masterpiece."
Of the May 7th, 2007 World Premiere performance, critics proclaimed:
"A moving, superb debut."
"an impressive piece of work...(that) deserves many hearings... "
"Morgan Smith and Julian Patrick take the breath away as Lewin and Beck, in deeply moving music and lyrics that pull no punches. They're supported by a first-rate ensemble, with Craig Sheppard (piano), Zartouhi Dombourian-Eby (flute), Laura DeLuca (clarinet), Mikhail Shmidt (violin), and Amos Yang (cello)."
"Young hunk, baritone Morgan Smith sang with melting beauty as he begged Beck to remember their joy and profound love..."
"The senior Julian Patrick and dazzling youth of Morgan Smith (not to mention his consummate talent as a singing actor) were perfect for this story."
And-finally-with some really sexy singing, Morgan Smith made a dashing...toreador. "
- Rosemary Ponnekanti, The Tacoma News Tribune 3/10/07
Morgan Smith's virile Don was outstanding in Seattle Opera's stellar new production of Don Giovanni.
Seattle Times Music Critic Melinda Bargreen
Morgan Smith, who by dint of some very handsome singing and alert, natural acting, raised Sonora to major-character status.
-Theodore Deacon Opera 9/1/2004
The festival gambled on a young replacement with a big future. Arriving for rehearsals on Tuesday, baritone Morgan Smith of the Seattle Opera gfave an electrifying performance as Don Giovanni, radiating saturnine power, dark magnetism and cruel charm. His ample, cognac-smooth voice has just enough snarl to give it bite. This young singer already inhabits the role the way James Bond fills a tux.
-Jack Frymire The Bellingham Herald 8/17/2004
Morgan Smith is a particularly fine Sonora.
-Melinda Bargreen Seattle Times 5/10/2004
Outstanding among the supporting cast was the Morales of Morgan Smith, whose round, ringing tones got the opera off to a rousing start. (Perhaps he will make a good Escamillo one day.)
-John Hulcoop Opera News 4/1/2004
The “strong acting” of Morgan Smith’s “terrific Morales” helped “ensure our deep involvement in the show.”
-Melinda Bargreen Seattle Times 1/12/2004
Morgan Smith (Peter Niles) made a manly contrast to Orin, sounding full-blooded and sane.
-John Hulcoop Opera News 1/1/2004
Morgan Smith was “an ardent, firmly sung Peter Niles."
-Lawrence A. Johnson Sun-Sentinel 10/25/2003
"Morgan Smith was “particularly fine” and “moving” as Peter Niles.
-Maggie Larick Queen Anne News 10/22/2003
Morgan Smith was “first rate” as “the hapless sibling” Peter Niles.
-Melinda Bargreen Seattle Times 10/20/2003
With leading-man looks and a rich baritone to match, Smith offered a sultry "You Stepped Out of a Dream" and, paired with (Heide) Holcomb, a charming "Baby It's Cold Outside."
-Rick Rogers The Oklahoman 2/25/2003
Morgan Smith was an agile, powerful Figaro and a gifted comic actor...
-Melinda Bargreen Seattle Times 11/15/1999
Morgan Smith was outstandingly good as Papageno, singing and acting with complete command, making him lovable, exasperating, and truly funny.
-Ernest Worthing The Independent 8/13/1998
Baritone Morgan Smith trod the fine line between sympathy and silliness in the role of Papageno, and succeeded brilliantly... But Smith also possesses the untranslatable gift of body language. Add to it an expressive voice of considerable beauty, and the 23-year-old should be looking forward to a bright future.
-Greg Hettmansberger Santa Barbara News Press 8/11/1998