Submitted by Lisa Lockhart, Jan 7, 2008 14:51

I'm shocked and saddened to hear about David Smith. He helped me make a great recording in 2005, and I only found out about his tragic death because I was hoping to make a new recording with him.

He really knew his stuff-it's so hard for an opera singer like me to find a good recording engineer who really understands how to record the bigger opera voices. It's also very difficult to find an affordable space with great acoustics and room for a big voice to "breathe". David Smith and Town Hall were the perfect combination, and he will definitely be missed.

I just wasted a ton of money making a recording in a studio down in the D.C. area (I won't divulge the name here, but it was located in downtown Bethesda, MD). Not only was the studio too small to accomodate an operatic voice; the guys that worked there were complete bumblers who showed up late both days and only had experience recording rappers and the like. Sigh. That's what made me think of David and wish I'd gone back to him instead. Apparently I would've been one of the last artists lucky enough to work with him.

Does anyone know who, if anyone, is going to take over the reins at Town Hall? Big shoes to fill, no doubt, but do let me know. I would still like to record at Town Hall if possible.

RIP, Mr. Smith!

Lisa Lockhart, Soprano

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