First Opera 25th Anniversary Gala

First Coast Opera's 2025 gala will be held at the Embassy Suites on St. Augustine Beach, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, celebrating the opera's 25th anniversary. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for those with regular tickets. Those with VIP tickets may arrive at 5:00 p.m. for a special reception. 

First Coast Opera has invited composer and musician, Juan Antonio Simarro, to provide a special performance for the evening. Señor Simarro from Madrid, Spain, toured and recorded with various artists before focusing more on music composition and as an arranger and producer for several artists. He has composed music for television, the cinema, and theater, and is highly regarded for his classical compositions, and composed the music for the 75th anniversary of UNESCO in Spain.

The evening will include dinner and a silent auction, and end with a performance by St. Augustine's ZaZa Flamenca. This vibrant ensemble will play music suitable for dancing as a fitting end to this celebratory event.

First Coast Opera has presented opera performances and concerts in Northeast Florida since 2000. 

Admission: 

• General Admission: $175.00 per person, $157.50 per person for a table of eight. 
• VIP Admission (at 5:00 p.m.): $250.00 per person, $225.00 per person for a table of eight. VIP admission includes a champagne reception, a meet-and-greet with Señor Simarro, and a 25th anniversary gift bag with a signed DVD of his music.
• Tickets can be purchased on their website.

When: Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for those with an enhanced ticket, and at 6:00 p.m. for those with a general admission ticket.

Where: Embassy Suites, St. Augustine Beach, Florida 32080