The Guild of Florida Grand Opera

Founded in 1987, the Guild, a major volunteer support group of FGO, is committed to developing new audiences, promoting community awareness, and raising funds to support the Opera's operations. The Guild offers many entertaining events throughout the Opera Season.

Key people in organizing the GUILD
George & Elaine Green	Evelyn R. Gilbert	Fred Ackerman

The idea started with the revival of the Greater Miami Opera’s “Almanac” into “The Opera Yearbook, Membership Register and Social Calendar” by a small and dedicated group of people. It was published for the 1987 – 88 Season by the Guild of the Greater Miami Opera, original name of Florida Grand Opera. 

Here is a quote from Robert M. Heuer, General Manager at the time: “The return of this useful and beautiful publication is due to the combined efforts of a new/old organization – The Guild, replacing the Board of Patrons. I know you will want to join me in thanking those dedicated members of the new Guild”. It was an AD HOC association established on April 1, 1987 by Elaine and George Green with new members and the Board of Patrons.

Elaine and George Green, Guild Chairmen
Dr. & Mrs. Donald Dooley, Mrs. James C. Major, Vice Chairmen
Mrs. Roberta Rymer Balfe, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph E. Crawley and Mrs. Arturo di Filippi, Honorary Chairmen
Mr. Selwyn Weintraub, Treasurer
Mr. Jerome Barish, Secretary
Charter Members, 185
In Memoriam, 6 (from Board of Patrons)

1987- 1988 Greater Miami Opera – The Opera Yearbook 1987-88 was published:
Jerome M. Barish, Editor in Chief; Elaine and George Green, Guild Chairmen.

Officially named The Guild of the Greater Miami Opera, Mrs. Morgan P. (Evelyn) Gilbert, Parliamentarian and Bylaws Chairman, codified The Guild’s formal framework and Bylaws were adopted on May 10, 1988.

With the supervision of Frederick W. Ackerman and Jerome M. Barish, Editor in Chief, “Opera Yearbooks” were developed and published for three more Opera Seasons.

On April 19th, 1990, Joy Parker Eldridge, President of The Guild, and Frederick W. Ackerman, Vice President of The Guild presented a resolution acknowledging Elaine and George Green as THE FOUNDERS of The Guild, which was duly approved by the Board of Directors of The Guild of the Greater Miami Opera.

1991 was the 50th Anniversary Greater Miami Opera.

1994 – 1995 was the Inaugural Season when The Greater Miami Opera and The Opera Guild, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale combined to form Florida Grand Opera, and the name was changed to The Guild of Florida Grand Opera on August 10, 1995. 

2007 - Twentieth Anniversary of The GUILD.

With its Life, Annual and Honorary members, The GUILD continues to celebrate over 20 years of support for the Florida Grand Opera. The many members who have supported the Guild organization and FGO throughout the two decades are greatly appreciated.

These are exciting times for the Opera, with the new administrative Miami home of Florida Grand Opera at Doral Center and performances at the Sanford & Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House in Miami and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Au-Rene Theatre. Join the FGO family by becoming a Guild member. You will be among the first to know about and enjoy many exclusive, exciting, informative and special Guild and Opera events, and help support Florida Grand Opera. Join now; it’s the perfect time! Invite and encourage your friends and family to become members of The Guild. Enjoy Opera and all the special events with them.