Season Dedication 2019–2020
SEASON 79 I 7
Linda T. SmitLinda Smith
Linda T. Smith was a native of New
Orleans, and was born into a French-
Spanish family that had strong ties to
opera in that city in the late 19th and early
20th centuries. Her great-great-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
Opera House.
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, 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 Rosenstiel School.
Retirement gave Linda the leisure to tend
assist FGO’s artists upon their arrival in Miami. She also supported other cultural organizations in the
community, most notably the Miami Bach Society, her interest in Baroque music having begun with
FGO's 2000 presentation of Handel's Giulio Cesare.
While she attended opera at most of the major houses in the U.S., 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. In addition, she was a strong supporter of FGO's Young Artist Studio, and
sponsored four Studio Artists over the past seven years.
Linda was a true patron of FGO. You may never see her name on anything but a Studio Artist
Sponsorship, but her imprint is everywhere, especially in the hearts of all those involved with FGO.
She will be missed, and will most certainly never be forgotten.
“Linda Smith, my beloved “sponsoress”, spoke about opera with more fervor than anyone I have or ever will
meet. She was an absolutely beautiful person that was passionate about so many things in her life, but none
greater than Florida Grand Opera. The love she had for me, the entire studio, and FGO was palpable. The
arts desperately need more people like Linda, and FGO certainly lost a pillar in its family. It was truly the
greatest honor to be her “sponsee” and I will cherish those memories for the rest of my life. ” – Rafael Porto, bass-baritone