In Conversation begins a new year with a conductor whose passion for music is irrepressible. Australian born Daniel Smith is now based in Italy, and proudly bears the Italian honour of Australian Cultural Ambassador. Following his highly successful debut with The Mariinsky Orchestra, Daniel has guest conducted the Czech Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Warsaw National Philharmonic, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, New Japan Philharmonic, amongst many others.

Daniel shares stories of his hard fought career milestones, from cornering maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti in a Sydney Opera House lift to beg him to take him on as a student, to his breakthrough being the only conductor to be awarded Laureate in four of the most prestigious international conducting competitions in a single year. He speaks with great passion on his plans to share culture with as broad an audience as possible.

Daniel Smith conducts The Barber of Seville for Opera Australia, which plays at the Sydney Opera House until 28 February.