Theatre Alumna Kathleen Smith Belcher Makes Metropolitan Opera Directing Debut

Theatre alumna Kathleen Smith Belcher has another amazing achievement on her hands! The October 6 opening of the production of "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" was her directing debut at the Metropolitan Opera. The marvelous production was described by the NY Times as "a pitch-perfect interpretation of the dazzling display and abundant wit in Rossini’s work. If the Met currently has a sure-fire hit, this delicious lark is it." 

"I would really like to encourage theatre students (especially directors, designers, stage managers & technicians) to look into opera as a career path. There are good jobs available in all fields and working on an opera is like working on a really, really big musical! I attribute my success in no small part to the well-rounded theatre education I received at FSU. I have honestly worked in ALL fields of theatre throughout my career from follow-spot operator to stage manager to stage director. Having a solid knowledge base in all of those backgrounds has significantly helped me advance in my field."

Stage director Kathleen Smith Belcher is currently engaged in her 9th year as a member of the directing staff at the Metropolitan Opera and as the Artistic Director of Opera at the University of Kansas.

Among others, she has worked extensively with the San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera and the San Diego Opera. Belcher assisted Peter Sellars on the world premiere of John Adams’ Dr. Atomic in San Francisco and helped to remount the production for The Netherlands Opera (Amsterdam), and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Woody Allen, Anthony Minghella, Bartlett Sher and Julie Taymor are a just a few of the many directors with whom Belcher has worked.

Recently, she directed an acclaimed production of Madama Butterfly for the San Francisco Opera, which was shown in movie theatres nation-wide. Her direction was hailed as “exceptional, giving the audience a number of indelible moments” (San Francisco Classical Voice) and “studded with imaginative and telling details” (San Francisco Chronicle). Belcher also directed Woody Allen’s acclaimed Los Angeles Opera production of Gianni Schicchi for the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy to rave reviews.

Upcoming engagements include directing Il Barbiere di Sivigila for the Metropolitan Opera and Gianni Schicchi & Suor Angelica for the Utah Opera.

Banner Image - Barry Banks as Count Almaviva in Rossini's 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia' Photo: Ken Howard/ Metropolitan Opera