The Opera Society Installation of Officers 2021-2022

The Opera Society Officers for 2021-22 installed by Per Loof, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Florida Grand Opera
(L-R) Per Loof, Claire Crawford, Jan Solomon, Barry Rabinowitz, Isobel Sturgeon, Patrice Tedescko, Linda Balent, Photo by Bruce Borich
President Isobel Sturgeon presenting gift to Susan Danis, CEO and General Director of Florida Grand Opera, Photo by Bruce Borich
Board Chair Per Loof installs new Opera Society President Claire Crawford, Photo by Bruce Borich
Claire presents bouquet of flowers to Susan Danis. Congratulations! A great season under difficult circumstances! Photo by Bruce Borich

Continuing a long and distinguished tradition, The Opera Society, an affiliate of Florida Grand Opera (FGO), and one of the oldest cultural groups in Fort Lauderdale, held its annual meeting and installation of officers on May 5. Under the pavilion at the beautiful Lauderdale Yacht Club, the luncheon also celebrated the work of FGO General Director and CEO Susan Danis.

Ms. Danis provided a presentation ‘Opera in the Time of Covid’ and highlighted how her team performed under the difficult circumstances of this past year. She described how the team produced the 2021 season consisting of community conversations, concerts and four, short live productions, bringing opera to both Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. She spoke of her hopes and plans for the coming season. Ms. Danis received a bouquet of red roses and a standing ovation from the grateful Opera Society members.

Soprano Sarah Payne accompanied by Jared Peroune sings The Countess’s Aria from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. Photo by Bruce Borich
Sarah Payne sings to us!!! Photo by Bruce Borich
Tenor Mitch Roe thanks his accompanist Jared Peroune after his performance. Photo by Bruce Borich
The group enjoying the Outdoor Pavilion of the Lauderdale Yacht Club on a lovely day! Photo by Bruce Borich

While under the pavilion, the 60 guests were serenaded by the voices of Sarah Payne, soprano, and Mitch Roe, tenor, and were accompanied by Jared Peroune on the keyboards. 

Ms. Payne sang “Dove sono” from Le nozze de Figaro by Mozart and “Pace, pace mio Dio” from La forza del Destino by Verdi.  She is a South Florida native and an alumnus of FGO’s Studio Artist program; and recently joined FGO as Company Manager. 

The two songs sung by Mitch Roe included “Morgen” by Richard Strauss and “Out There” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Before his performance, Mr. Roe remarked of the song ‘Out There’, “The song is at a time when Quasimodo is longing to go to the town festival, but is discouraged by Frollo because he will be ridiculed and ruin the festival for the town. In the song, he takes this moment to express his desire to be like everyone else and spend just one day, out there, like all of the others enjoying the sun on his face or a simply stroll along the Seine. A bit like this past year for all of us tucked away, just wanting to get a taste of what life was before the pandemic.” He is Director of Artistic Administration and Director of the Studio Artist program at FGO.  

Accompanist Jared Peroune is a Doctor of Musical Arts student in collaborative piano at the University of Miami. He also serves on the music staff of FGO as pianist-coach. Mr. Peroune has performed in concerts and recitals throughout Florida, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom, and in his hometown of Georgetown in Guyana.

(L-R) Per Loof, Robin Blackwell, Linda Balent, Alvan Balent, Tricia Quinn and Jared Lileinstein
(L-R) Sally Alshouse and Diane Kohlmeyer!
Diane Kohlmeyer and Barry Rabinowitz

The Installation of Officers was officiated by Per Loof, FGO Board of Trustees Chair. The new officers invested for the 2021 – 2022 year include: Claire Crawford, DPA; President; Jan Solomon PhD, VP Ways and Means; Isobel Sturgeon, Esq., VP Membership; Barry Rabinowitz, VP Public Relations; Linda Balent, MD, Corresponding Secretary; and Patrice Tedescko, Esq., Recording Secretary. Lea Singh, Treasurer, was not in attendance. Enjoy the photos!!!

(L-R) Helena Caplan, Susan Danis, Claire Crawford and Barbara Copanos
(L-R) Willie Riddle, MaryEllen Metwalli, Barbara Lefka and Sally Alshouse
(L-R) Ruth Molina, Jane Auerbach and Linda Jean Tufo
(L-R) Donna Mercer, Jan Solomon and KayeLynne Northcutt
(L-R) Ryan Spring, Jason Huges, CEO of ArtServe with Margaret Celesia and Liannette Marquez.
(L-R) Michael Asser, Patrice Tedescko, Liz Hopwood and Carol Nugent
(L-R) Brian Hersh, Ken Evans and Beth Holland
Our incredible Vice President Public Relations, Barry Rabinowitz in full Cinco de Mayo spirit!
(L-R) Susan Danis, Judy Borich, owner of Middle River Press and Claire Crawford. Photo by Bruce Borich