First Coast Opera

First Coast Opera, northeast Florida’s professional opera company, has welcomed Adina Diehl, as its first Administrative Director. A Jacksonville native, Diehl most recently served as Professor of Voice and Opera at The University of North Florida. For this newly-created position, Diehl will work alongside General and Artistic Director Curtis Tucker to lead the operations and programs of First Coast Opera.

“I have long admired Maestro Tucker’s multi-faceted artistry, and I look forward to seeing what new wonderful projects we can create together,” Diehl said.

First Coast Opera (FCO) also made changes to its Board of Directors, electing Carl Liberatore as President to succeed Michele Bova, who remains on the Board. A veteran of numerous area arts organizations, including FCO, Liberatore shares that he “is honored to serve this important arts organization and excited to help lead it to greater regional impacts.”

Newly-elected board members include Renee Jones and Paul Lankau. Also serving as officers are Steven Rich as Vice President, Robert Dawkins as Treasurer, and Kerry Fradley as Secretary.

Penelope Ann’s Revenge Reading took place Sunday, August 30, 2020 at Ancient City Baptist Church.  The full production will be part of First Coast Opera’s 2021 season. 

It is the mission of First Coast Opera to serve Northeast Florida with professional opera performances for the education, cultural enhancement, and enjoyment of our communities, combining artistic excellence and the development of local and regional talent.

First Coast Opera has been approved for a $50,000 award as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This grant will help the nonprofit opera company maintain and strengthen its administrative staffing over the next two years. Located in St. Augustine, First Coast Opera is the only professional producing opera company in northeast Florida, offering an annual series of performances and events featuring visiting guest artists as well as local and regional performers and technicians. FCO was one of 33 arts organizations in Florida to receive a CARES Act award.