I sent this comment to Mr. Bob Heuer:
I suspect there are various reasons for FGO's decision to hire another contractor to assemble the opera orchestra. My concern is that the last time I heard the "new" orchestra was during a concert performance of "Il Trovatore" a few years back. They were pretty awful.
Although there are a few current FGO players that should have retired years ago, there are many fine musicians who should remain in the orchestra pit next season.
I once asked a Chicago music critic what he thought of Daniel Barenboim's tenure as the Chicago Symphony's music director. He felt Barenboim's greatest gift was his keen ability to hire the best orchestral musicians.
I just don't understand why Stewart Robinson cannot have any input as to who plays in "his" orchestra. Even if FGO must employ a contractor to hire the players, why not find a contractor who will listen to Maestro Robinson's requests when deciding who to hire. If the new contractor insists on being autonomous, then get another contractor.
In an area where there is no orchestra, the only way to ensure quality is to have the musical director decide who plays in the orchestra pit. Delegating this important musical decision to a contractor will result in a mediocre orchestra.
Don, as I understand it from friend in the orchestra... that's the problem. The current contractor was hiring who Stewart Robertson wanted him to hire. What they need to do is take direct responsibility for the orchestra, and find someone with ears to give the organization an artistic vision.
Sorry I misspelled Stewart's name. Robertson, not Robinson.
to Charles Bourne. Your information is incorrect.
The problem was that he (Stewart Robertson) could not have enough input in the hiring or firing. And this same problem will now continue with different (and mostly inexperienced) musicians.
Is Bob Heuer's e-mail address correct? I sent him the note and it was returned as undeliverable.
It appears that Bob Heuer's e-mail address may have been changed. You can still contact the FGO at
info[at]fgo[dot]org.
Here is the problem with FGO:
Bob Heuer gets paid a lot of money to run a company into the ground. When was the last time you heard a major artist sing here. Most of shows feature nothing but young artists, or young artists of the recent past. Hey Bob, fork over some of your undeserved salary and higher real singers.
Stewart Robertson is a weak leader. He also gets paid a lot and guess what, HE IS HARDLY EVER HERE. He is more interested in collecting his check than he is making music.
Get some NEW, responsible leadership in the company and things might change. Keep the status quo and you will have crap.
To Ms. Van Eck: The control that Mo. Robertson exerts over the hiring and firing of musicians is a key determining factor as to whether the musiccians even have a case to claim that FGO are the employers instead of Sunset. My friend in the orchestra gave me a quick half dozen examples of changes that were made within the orchestra that Sunset didn't even agree with. One happened in your section a couple of years ago and that musician still plays in the Sunshine Pops. Be careful that you understand what you are saying. It affects the well being of many people.
Before assigning blame or accusations to any one individual, musician, contractor, or manager it might be helpful to understand that running an opera company is a complex operation that involves many pieces of a puzzle coming together and millions upon millions of dollars.
Because they are the public face of FGO, it is all too easy to target Mr. Heuer (or Mr. Robertson for that matter). It should be noted that as the Director of Michigan Opera Theater, Heuer left behind a solid, well-run operation and to this day it remains so and is one of the most successful opera companies in the country.
I point this out not as a defense of Mr. Heuer so much as to point out that context and situation have much to do with perceived success or failure, or responsibility for either.
In most cases with large non-profit organizations, it is the Board of Directors that pulls the real strings. These individuals are key in fund-raising and are directly responsible for the hiring and firing of administrative figures.
In some circles, the Board can an effective adminstrative body, while in other situations it can be like a high-society social club. Opera in particular attracts these folks like flies to honey.
Judging by the pictures I have seen online of these folks - decked out in their high fashion apparel and appearing in the New York Social Diary - and the well-known reputation that this circle in Miami in particular is known for, I would guess that if anything, it is the Opera Board that needs to be scrutinized the most.
Say what you wil about Sunset Entertainment (and Kurt Hagen), Stewart Robertson or Robert Heuer, it is the FGO Board that holds the real power for making decisions for change - whether it be hiring a dedicated orchestra or hiring a new Director.
Florida Grand Opera Orchestra Musicians
Members of the FGO orchestra have graduated from prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard, Manhattan, and Eastman Schools of Music, New England Conservatory, and Indiana University and have performed with all of south Florida's musical institutions, including the Florida Philharmonic, Palm Beach Opera, New World Symphony, and Orchestra Miami. We have loyally performed for FGO since 2001 (and some of us much longer).