Donovan Elliot Smith, a Pittsburgh native, has recently moved back home after working as a tenor full-time in the opera chorus at Opernhaus Zürich, and Theater Basel for several years. During his time there, he also performed a variety of comprimaro roles including one of the armed men in Mozart's The Magic Flute, and Iaryzhkin in Shostakovich's The Nose. 

Donovan’s recent roles include Tybalt in Gounod's Romeo & Juliet with El Paso Opera, Serano in Rossini's La Donna del Lago, and Prince Charming in a production of Viardot's Cinderella with Resonance Works. He was also seen recently in recital with Pittsburgh Festival Opera. Notably, he appeared in concert as the tenor soloist in McCullough's Let My People Go with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. In his return to musical theater, he was seen as the farmer in The Music Man with Pittsburgh CLO.

His other solo credits throughout Europe include Tony in McNally’s Masterclass, Ferrando in Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, Beppe in Donizetti’s Rita, the title role in Mozart’s Idomeneo, and Beppe in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. He has also appeared in concert as the tenor soloist in Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings, the tenor soloist in Purcell’s King Arthur, as well as various solo recitals.

Before moving to Europe, Donovan performed leading roles in musical theater, including Enjolras in Les Misérables with Pittsburgh Musical Theater and Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime.

He recently signed with Take 3 Talent for representation in musical theater.