Studio Artist Sponsors
DR. DIVA HARRIET G. MERTZ*
Harriet Mertz’s career and life have revolved around her passion for music,
teaching, and the performing arts. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
music education from Susquehanna University, and later earned a master’s degree
in music education from the University of Miami, an Education Specialist degree in
communications from Vanderbilt University, and a master’s degree in library science
from the University of Missouri. She was honored with an honorary Doctorate of Arts,
Letters, and Humanities degree from Susquehanna University. Harriet was a professor
at the University of Miami, teaching graduate courses in communications and television.
She wrote the course of study for television production for the state of Florida.
Her association with Florida Grand Opera began when the company was known as
the Greater Miami Opera Association, singing in the chorus along with Judy Drucker
in the early years of Luciano Pavarotti’s American career, which began in Miami. She
also worked together with her friend, the late Roberta Rymer Balfe, in promoting
opera experiences for the Girl Scouts. With the International Cultural Exchange,
Dr. Mertz worked with professors in Japan and Taiwan, teaching techniques for
conversational English and television production. During Dr. Mertz’s long career in
South Florida, she has worked with many show business personalities, and was
both producer and talent for her own television series in Miami, “Music Magic.”
died in 2008 at John Knox Village, in Pompano Beach. Ms. Mertz continues to direct shows and perform with a musical group she formed, The
Note-Ables, at John Knox Village, as well as touring by invitation throughout South Florida.
Harriet was awarded the prestigious Diva Award by the Opera Society in 2013 and is an active member of the Venetian Society of Fort Lauderdale.
year the Young Artists of FGO for a delightful opera experience.
The estate of Dr. Diva Harriet G. Mertz is sponsoring Studio Artist Nathan Mattick.
LINDA T. SMITH*
Linda was a native of New Orleans, born into a French-Spanish family that had
strong ties to opera in that city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her greatgreat
uncle, Victor Antoine Viosca, was a member of the board of directors of the
fabled French Opera House, and later served as president of the board of the Grand
the French Opera House existed.
Following her early education at the Ursuline Convent, Linda graduated from Tulane
University and then earned a Master’s Degree in Mathematics at Stanford University.
After moving to South Florida at the insistence of her aunt (whose name was Thaïs!),
she earned a second master’s degree at the University of Miami, and worked for 20
years as a senior research associate at UM’s Rosenstein School.
Retirement gave Linda the leisure to tend to her home in Coral Gables, to travel, and
their arrival in Miami, and to support other cultural organizations in the community.
While she has attended operas at most of the major houses in the United States, as
well as in Rome, Florence, Paris, and Prague, Linda was above all a devoted FGO
subscriber, having never missed a single opera presented by the company for the
past 31 seasons. In addition, she has been a strong supporter of the Florida Grand
Opera Studio, and delighted in being the sponsor of Studio Artist bass-baritone Rafael Porto for 2019-20, her seventh consecutive season as a
sponsor. Her legacy will live on through a bequest that will sponsor a Studio Artist each year in perpetuity.
Linda T. Smith’s bequest is sponsoring Studio Artist Rafael Porto.
*Deceased
SEASON 79 I 81