The Opera Society

Every year since 2007, THE OPERA SOCIETY has supported children’s operas in Broward county schools. As you know, we do this as part of our community outreach. We have raised the funds to cover any costs associated with these productions so that there was no charge to the schools.

This year, FGO is presenting “Frida and the Bravest Girl in the World”, a children’s opera by Joe Illick based on the highly acclaimed book by Laurence Anholt. It describes the real-life friendship of Marianna Morillo Safa with famed artist Frida Kahlo. This opera will be presented DIGITALLY to grades 4-8 in Dade and Broward schools.

More information about the production can be found here.

I am asking you to be generous again and to give to support this program. Funds from us will help to cover some of the costs of this production: recording studio, costumes, set, artists, etc. Our goal is to raise $3500.

Our President has generously made a pledge to match gifts up to $1750. Please see the form below so that you can all make a pledge to support this important program!

Thank you in advance.

Linda Balent

Education Program 2020-2021 Pledges

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On Saturday, October 24, 2020, 50 lucky opera lovers attended the sold-out First Sing of the 2020-21 Studio Artists! The artists were accompanied by their head coach, Caren Levine and coach, Jared Peroune. The program included favorites by Puccini (from La Rondine), Tchaikovsky (from Eugene Onegin), Bizet (from Carmen), Rossini ( from Il Barbiere di Siviglia and La Cenerentola), Verdi (form La Corsaro), Mozart (from Il Nozze di Figaro) and more. They performed spectacularly from behind the plastic screen shown above. The audience remained masked and socially distanced.

If you missed them, you still have opportunities to see them in concerts and Songfests here in Fort Lauderdale. Songfest recitals will take place on November 8, with the music of Victor Herbert, and November 15, with Opera and Musical Theatre, at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, 5555 North Federal Hwy. A Concert of Opera’s Greatest Hits will take place on November 22 at the church also. So don’t miss them and don’t miss the joy of live musical performance!

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On Thursday, October 22, eight lucky guests gathered at the lovely home of Barbara Copanos for a dinner and a Wine Tasting with Erich Theinert, Wine Master for PRP Wines! They also enjoyed a musical offering from FGO Studio Artists, Michael Moore, Baritone and Paul Schwartz, Pianist.

The menu included endive salad with Baltimore lump crab cake ( Barbara’s hometown), Filet of Beef with Oyster Soufflé and fruit tart. Each course paired with a magnificent wine, thanks to Erich our Wine Master. An elegant and delightful evening for all! Thank you to our hostess ! and her guests who generously donated the proceeds of this event to support Florida Grand Opera!

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Dear Members,

Welcome to The Opera Society. The Opera Society is dedicated to building community through support of that pinnacle of performing arts, opera. Opera combines all the performing arts into one gorgeous production: symphony, ballet, and stories of Shakespearean depth. The Opera Society creates events to foster this community and to raise funds for Florida Grand Opera (FGO) which performs in Broward County as well as Miami-Dade.

Whether you are new to opera or a lifelong fan, this is the group for you. Newbies can learn from lifelong fans. And lifelong fans can relive their initial joys of discovering opera for the first time by sharing experiences with others.

During this pandemic the performing arts have been devastated. Artists are in desperate need. Performances of grand operas have been postponed and canceled around the country. Florida Grand Opera has also been badly affected. And although FGO has retained a few Studio Artists to create an opera film which to start an in school educational program to foster enthusiasm for opera in the next generation, staff has been slashed to the barest minimum. Those still employed are working longer hours at big pay cuts. They need our help now more than ever. Unfortunately the earliest a staged production by FGO could happen is spring 2021. With information about infection rates, testing techniques and efficacy, and vaccine availability and efficacy changing rapidly, so, too, could the date of a staged opera and its venue. 

Still The Opera Society will strive to create in-person and live events so we can meet and share our love of this art form.  News of events will be sent electronically so be sure you are allowing our emails and notices to get to you. You can update your email preferences at our website. We have already scheduled events for November and December. FGO is having concerts in Broward during those months as well. Other events are being planned for January, February and on into summer 2021. Stay tuned!

I welcome new ideas and input. I hope you will call me with any issues. My cell phone is listed in our directory. I would love to hear from you. I close with best wishes for all of you to stay healthy and to see you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Isobel Sturgeon

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Featuring: Mitch Roe, Director of Artistic Administration, FGO
FGO Studio Artists performing enchanting arias!

Fall 2020 Membership Luncheon

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

Phone

Attendance *

In person ($50/person)

Remote by Zoom ($10 donation)

Number Attending ($50/person) *

1

2

3

4

Subtotal

Zoom Subtotal ($10 donation)

Additional Donation

In support of The Opera Society and the continuation of live opera in our community

Total Cost

Food Selection *

Chicken

Salmon

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