Travel back to late 19th-century Europe as First Coast Opera presents “The Golden Age of Opera,” a concert of popular and important selections from Italian, French and German operas, at 7:30 p.m. March 31 at the Lightner Museum in downtown St. Augustine.
The concert will feature works by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet, Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss and others.
Hosted by First Coast Opera Artistic Director Curtis Tucker, guest artists will be accompanied by Metropolitan Opera pianist and coach Yelena Kurdina.
“In light of current world events, First Coast Opera has shifted its upcoming concert from a focus on 19th-century Russian opera selections to works by their contemporaries in Italy, France and Germany,” said Tucker. “The Golden Age of Opera predates the former Soviet Union and the current Russian regime. While we feel this music should be heard, our company and our artists, which includes both Ukrainian and Russian guest artists, feel compelled to postpone our exploration of Russian musical culture to a future time when, hopefully, it can be celebrated without the lingering dark cloud of aggression and war.”
General admission is $35. Enhanced experience, including preferred seating, a reception following the performance, champagne and more is $75.
RSVP at firstcoastopera.com or call 904-417-5555.
The Lightner Museum is located at 75 King St., St. Augustine.
“The Golden Age of Opera” also will be presented on April 1 at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and in person at The St. Augustine Amphitheatre box office.
Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. the box office accepts credit and debit card payments only.
