Written by Jessica Finol & Soumia Hammi
Holding the title of the oldest performing arts organization in Florida, the Florida Grand Opera was formed in June 1994 by a merger of the Greater Miami Opera, founded in 1941, and The Opera Guild Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1945. FGO will celebrate its 82nd season in 2023-24.
A resident company of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Florida Grand Opera presents its Miami performances at the Ziff Ballet Opera House, and at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Au Rene Theater in Fort Lauderdale.
Florida Grand Opera presents a standard repertoire, featuring contemporary works, new commissions, and original productions, all of which feature projected translations in English and Spanish. This season, mainstage operas include Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s I pagliacci (Jan. 27 - Feb. 10, 2024) and Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème (Apr. 6 - May 4, 2024).
FGO also has a rich history of presenting internationally acclaimed artists such as Robert Merrill, Dorothy Kirsten, Richard Tucker, and many others. Luciano Pavarotti made his U.S. debut in 1965 with the company’s production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
In addition, FGO now offers several highly successful outreach and educational programs, including the internationally recognized Studio Artist Program, which offers aspiring artists the opportunity to train and enhance their professional skills. Studio Artists spend the full season performing principal and comprimario roles alongside FGO’s directors, conductors, and musicians and are trained with an emphasis on vocal technique, acting, language, repertoire, and best business practices for working singers. FGO also coordinates opportunities for in-house auditions with agents and General Directors, press interviews, and donor relations to prepare them for a life in the opera industry. The program reaches more than 20,000 South Floridians annually through educational initiatives and community outreach programs. In addition, the young artists perform and cover lead roles in main-stage productions throughout the season.
Join us in the next entry of our continuing series on the Florida Grand Opera, for an interview with FGO’s Director Of Education, Luis Valenzuela.