Florida Grand Opera Celebrates Largest Gift in Company History

Friday was a big day at Florida Grand Opera (FGO). The company held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to commemorate the largest gift in its 75 year history - its 35,000 square foot office and rehearsal space. FGO's General Director and CEO, Susan T. Danis, opened the event with a short introduction welcoming press and donors to the momentous occasion and expressing the sincere gratitude of all those affiliated with the Opera.

"This gift is such a transformation point for us as a company. We are the oldest continuous performing arts organization in the state of Florida and the 7th oldest opera company in the United States; we have been shaping South Florida for the past 75 years. With this gift, and the efforts of all the amazing people in attendance today, we have at least 75 more years to come," Danis stated.

Mr. David Melin, the longest serving board member in Florida Grand Opera history, cut the ceremonial purple ribbon stretched across the building's grand entrance columns for an audience of approximately 45 staff, donors, and press. FGO's Young Artists Melissa Fajardo, Sarah Payne, Laura León, Elena Galván, Courtney Miller and Alex Soare serenaded the crowd with an a cappella rendition of Carmen's "Toreador" conducted by Assistant Conductor Darwin Aquino.

After the ribbon was officially cut, Rebekah Diaz-Fandrei, Director of Education and Community Engagement, and Philip Pierce, Director of Artistic Administration, were available to answer questions about the company's operations and current status of this major gift over a light lunch of Panera delights.

To conclude the day's festivities, FGO Director of Production Kevin Mynatt took interested guests on a tour of the two-floor structure, which houses production functions, rehearsal space as well as the company's administrative offices. Participants were able to see the full box office, costume shop, wig and makeup shop and rehearsal spaces in action as they begin to prepare for November's production of Carmen.

In January of 2016, FGO sold its headquarters in Doral to improve its financial condition. The friendly buyers gave the opera a most favorable leasing rate. The opera expected to start exploring alternative locations for its 35,000 square feet location in Doral. This summer, Ms. Danis was informed by the new owner of the Doral property that they were donating the building to the opera, free and clear. "This gift will allow the company to further develop rehearsal and production spaces, to make the most out of the company's human assets and vast operatic inventory," Mynatt remarked.

Although the "friendly buyers" remain anonymous, their impact on the cultural life of South Florida will be felt for many generations to come. "As a lifelong artist and performer, especially as a former Young Artist here at Florida Grand Opera, it means a lot to know that the company is growing in strength and growing in support from its community," declared Carlton Ford, FGO's Individual Advancement Officer. "This gift is another positive sign that we are doing something right and we are in the right direction," concluded Ford.

Florida Grand Opera (FGO), the oldest performing arts organization in Florida, celebrates its 75th Anniversary Season in 2016-17. The mainstage operas of the season include: Georges Bizet's Carmen, November 12-December 3, 2016; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, January 28-February 11, 2017; Jorge Martín's Before Night Falls, March 18-25, 2017; and Giuseppe Verdi's A Masked Ball (Un Ballo in Maschera), April 29 - May 13, 2017.

FGO is currently accepting subscription renewals, new subscriptions, and single ticket purchases online or at FGO's offices. FGO's Box Office is located at the Doral Center on 8390 NW 25 Street, Miami, FL 33122, and is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday during the season. Season tickets may also be purchased by phone at (800) 741-1010. For more information on supporting our work through donation, or to make a pledge, please contact Individual Giving Officer Carlton Ford at 305.403.3320 or cford@fgo.org.

Founded in 1941 as Greater Miami Opera and later merging with The Opera Guild Inc. in 1994, FGO presents a mixture of standard repertoire and contemporary works as well as commissions and new productions - all featuring projected translations in English and Spanish. FGO is recognized for funding by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding is also provided, in part, by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council. Program support is provided by the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, and the Cultural Arts Council. Florida Grand Opera is a Resident Company of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and a member company of OPERA America. Intercontinental Miami is the Official Hotel and Steinway & Sons is the Official Piano of Florida Grand Opera.

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