Musicians began leafleting Florida Grand Opera audiences on Tuesday night, demanding that the Opera take artistic control by doing what every other opera company of its size does: hire the orchestra directly, without the use of an intermediary contractor. The musicians are also demanding that the Opera recognize South Florida Musicians Association, American Federation of Musicians Local 655, AFL-CIO, as their bargaining agent.

It is interesting to note that in the top 15 metropolitan areas, all of the opera companies employ their orchestras directly except for Florida Grand Opera.

[Robert Heuer] stressed that he and music director Stewart Robertson were "very happy" with the freelance musicians' past efforts. "I think Stewart liked the fact that he had musicians who liked being a pit orchestra and really came to work prepared to work hard. It's been a good relationship."

Lawrence Johnson, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, June 13, 2001