To anyone who saw Opera Australia’s Il viaggio a Reims in 2019, Daniel Smith is the conductor who doubled as one of the bidders in an onstage auction. To European audiences, however, he is one of our most prominent cultural ambassadors, as well as a highly sought-after conductor with offers coming thick and fast. He talks to Jansson J. Antmann about the importance of compassion, respect and trust in his life and work.

Daniel Smith. Photo © Priamo Tolu

Australian conductor Daniel Smith is riding the crest of a wave and, with his schedule full to overflowing, finding time for an interview is no mean feat. When we do finally sit down, a week has passed since our initial agreement to meet. It is Friday morning, and he has just arrived back in Rome, where he lives.

Apologising for the toing and froing, he explains that he has received two last-minute invitations – one to conduct the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana that weekend, and another from the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for a series of concerts beginning in late March.

“And the airline lost my luggage,” he adds.

The two invitations are on top of two...