Kids Learn Story of Girl Scouts Founder
More than 5,000 seventh graders from Miami-Dade public schools attended the uplifting performance of Daisy, an operetta that tells the story of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of America.
The show describes how Low overcame partial deafness, divorce and age in the early 1900s, to become one of America's most celebrated women. She became involved with scouting in her 50s and found her life's work.
The performance was underwritten by the Young Patronesses of the Opera; the Shepard Broad Foundation, courtesy of Ann Bussel; the Junior Opera Guild; the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, courtesy of Susan Abraham; and YPO members: president Julie Todaro, past presidents Karyn Herterich, Joan Morrison, Judy George, and Roz Spak, and members Beth Tasca, Irene Hammond, and Leatrice Damus.
YPO was thrilled to bring Daisy to thousands of young people in our community. It was an inspiring show with lively music and a wonderful message about achieving great things in spite of life's obstacles,'' Todaro said.
The show was held at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium and over 500 scouts earned a Daisy opera patch for attending. The three main characters gave superb performances. Daisy was performed by soprano Gillian Hollis; her husband Billow was played by tenor Anthony Ciotti; the role of Sir Robert Baden-Powell was performed by baritone, Graham Fandrei.
Written by Julia Smith in 1973, this production was dedicated to YPO past president, and past president of the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, Louise P. Todaro, for her 40 years of dedication to opera education. She was instrumental in the original production of Daisy. She is also Julie Todaro's mother. This production was directed by Dr. Warren Broome, who also directed the premier in 1973.
The Miami-Dade School Board, Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, Florida Grand Opera, University of Northern Texas, and the Julia Smith Estate helped sponsor the event.
YPO also brings in-school operas to nearly 35,000 elementary school students annually.
By Chris Mayo | Published by The Miami Herald