These Opera Chairmen (later called Opera Representatives), with the aid of local committees, sold tickets and solicited contributions in their areas. Opera in the Upper Midwest was promoted largely by women volunteers. Myers served as the Board's Chairman until 1983 when he was succeeded by Charles S.

This non-profit corporation formalized the operating of the Spring Tour and was managed by a Board of Directors. In 1981 the Metropolitan Opera in the Upper Midwest (MOUM) was established. A Working Committee, consisting of the combined staff of the Department of Concerts and Lectures and the Orchestra, were responsible for the day-to-day planning of the tour. Policies pertaining to the Spring Tour were established by the Executive Committee. Major corporate support was received for the first time in 1983 from Merrill Lynch, to help offset increasing costs. Financial problems continued to plague the tour in spite of efforts to increase the number of contributors. As a result of this deficit, a donor category called 'Friends of the Opera' was established in 1971. This loss was covered by guarantors and the reserve fund.

Ticket sales and contributions from guarantors met, and even exceeded, the costs of the yearly opera presentations until 1970, when losses were experienced for the first time. In 1945 a Guaranty Fund was established to cover deficits if a season faired poorly. From 1985 to 1986 the tour was jointly managed by Dale Schatzlein, Smith's successor, and Richard Cisek. He and Richard Cisek, the Managing Director, and later President of the Minnesota Orchestral Association, were Co-Managers of the tour until Smith's retirement in 1984. Smith became director upon Lombard's retirement. Lombard, Director of the Department of Concerts and Lectures, and a designated member of the Orchestral Association, jointly held the title of Local Manager and organized the yearly tours. The University of Minnesota and the Orchestral Association of Minneapolis (later called the Minnesota Orchestral Association) jointly sponsored the tour. For forty-one years, the return of the Met to Northrop was one more sign that summer had returned to Minnesota. Over the years, the length of the tour increased, as did the number of operas performed. Four operas were performed in three days, Lucia di Lammermoor, Die Walkuri, Don Giovanni and Carmen. The Metropolitan Opera made its first Minneapolis appearance on the stage of Northrop Auditorium in the Spring of 1945.

Met opera archives