Connell was born on October 25, 1942, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and grew up in Westport, Connecticut. He was a singer, pianist and violist in high school, and was inspired by a class trip to the Met's La Bohème to enter the opera industry.[1]
Connell earned his bachelor's degree in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University.[1][3] He served in the military during the Vietnam War, flying Navy transport planes. He later did graduate work in music at University of Hawaiʻi.[1]
Connell staged managed operas in graduate school and worked for a few regional opera companies before joining the Met as stage manager in 1977.[1] From 1981 until his death, he was the company's chief stage manager, also known as the production stage manager.[1]
Connell died on April 18, 2010, at his home in Manhattan.[1]