FCO was born in St. Augustine

In January 2000, soprano Barbara Norris and her husband Anthony Fast produced a concert titled An Evening of Opera, leading t

First Coast Opera – 25 Years and Counting

Founders – Barbara Norris and Anthony Fast

In January 2000, soprano Barbara Norris and her husband, conductor Anthony Fast, presented a concert titled "An Evening of Opera," which laid the foundation for what would become First Coast Opera in Saint Augustine. Serving Northeast Florida’s First Coast region, the company quickly became a cultural cornerstone, offering a diverse range of concerts and staged productions of operas and operettas that featured local talent. The founders' final concert, Addio!, in May 2008 marked the end of their tenure before relocating to North Carolina.

Under the leadership of Board Presidents Pamela Tsitos, Dulcy Freedman, Adam Mayo, and Nancy Perry, First Coast Opera continued to thrive, expanding its programming to include themed cabarets, concerts, and a wide variety of staged productions—from Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera to Puccini’s Turandot and Terrence McNally’s Master Class.

In 2014, Maestro Curtis Tucker assumed the role of Artistic Director, ushering in a new chapter for the company. Under his leadership, and with Board President Michele Bova, First Coast Opera has greatly expanded its artistic vision, producing both classic and contemporary works. Highlights include tribute concerts honoring iconic figures such as Marian Anderson, Leonard Bernstein, Mario Lanza, and Edith Piaf, as well as increasing outreach efforts to local schools.

As the only producing opera company in Northeast Florida, First Coast Opera plays a vital role in the region's cultural landscape. The company has partnered with a wide array of local arts organizations, including Flagler College, Stetson University Opera, University of North Florida Opera Theatre, Lightner Museum, A Classic Theatre, Romanza Festivale of the Arts, St. Augustine Orchestra, St. Augustine Community Chorus, St. Augustine Art Association, St. Augustine Youth Chorus, and Limelight Theatre. Notably, in 2015, FCO joined forces with other local arts groups to celebrate the City of St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary with a festive concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Today, First Coast Opera remains a vital artistic voice and community partner in Northeast Florida.