Robin Donald

Who is Robin Donald?

Robin Donald Smith, who appeared professionally as Robin Donald, is an Australian operatic tenor. He performed leading roles in opera houses in Britain, Europe and Australia for over 35 years.

Robin Donald was born in Bundaberg, Queensland in 1942, as Donald Robin Smith, the son of the tenor Donald Smith. He studied music, stagecraft, and languages at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane. He began his professional operatic career in England in 1966 as a principal tenor with the Sadler's Wells Opera Company. Robin made his operatic debut in England with The Sadlers Wells Opera Company at the Coliseum Theatre in 1968 as Rodolfo in La bohème. After spending some 10 years as a principal tenor with 'The Wells' as well as performing on the Continent in Belgium, Holland and Germany and Greece, Robin returned to Australia initially in 1973 toperform at the opening of The Sydney Opera House in the role of 'Rinuccio' in the opera "Gianni Schicchi".