Season Dedication 2019–2020
Season Dedication
Florida Grand Opera is proud to dedicate the 2019-20 Season to Linda T. Smith and Samuel (Sam) M. Townsend.
Every member of the company has been affected by their shared belief in our mission.
Sam is also a strong supporter of the Studio Artist program serving as a sponsor for decades. His commitment to FGO
was a very personal one, working the wardrobe department for many years. Now he brings the joy of opera to his fellow
residents at John Knox Village each year.
Linda was omnipresent at any performance or other event hosted by FGO. She was very committed to all of the
members of our Studio Artist Program and maintained friendships with singers from around the world.
FGO is blessed to have such dedicated and committed supporters who continue to go above and beyond in their belief
of all things FGO.
Samuel M. Townsend, or “Sam,” has been an opera lover
for decades, and has volunteered and provided generous
support to Florida Grand Opera. He has underwritten the lifecare
expenses for the members of the Studio for over 20 years.
He graduated from Hartford City High School, in Indiana. He
received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University,
Muncie, Indiana and a master’s degree from the University of
Kentucky in Lexington. Sam had a career as a microbiologist for
45 years with the Miami VA Healthcare System in Miami, retiring in
1989. He has always been a lover of music. At school, he played
the clarinet. In Miami, he became involved with FGO (then, the
in the wardrobe department. Before acquiring his wardrobe status,
he served a two-year apprenticeship and became a member of
the International Alliance of Stage and Moving Pictures of the
U.S. and Canada (now IATSE). Consequently, he has worked
backstage for opera and shows including 86 performances of
Phantom of the Opera, The Nutcracker, Starlight Express, Cats,
City of Angels, The Secret Garden, and Alvin Ailey, to name just
a few.
Sam now enjoys retired life at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach, Florida. However, he is as busy as ever with involvement
he is, he never misses a performance of Florida Grand Opera and attends most dress rehearsals as well!
Sam brings the Studio Artists of FGO to the Village each year for a delightful opera experience enjoyed by all the residents. The
audience packs the auditorium as these artists and their accompanists present such memorable music. He is looking forward
to the performances planned for this season!
6 | FLORIDA GRAND OPERA
season
Samuel M. TownsenSamuel Townsend
“Florida Grand Opera and the Studio Artists have been an important part of Sam’s life for many years.
His generosity has been transformative for the Company, and a great inspiration to all of us. Opera lovers
throughout South Florida will benefit from his support for generations to come.
”