First Coast Opera opens its 27th season with “Something’s Brewing,” a fast-paced, witty double bill featuring unforgettable characters, comic complications and a few surprises.
“Something’s Brewing” pairs J.S. Bach’s “Coffee Cantata,” a playful battle of wills over a young woman’s love of coffee, with Gaetano Donizetti’s “Rita,” a whip-smart farce where the past doesn't just catch up, it crashes through the door! Together, the two one-act works offer an approachable introduction to opera for newcomers while giving longtime opera fans the chance to experience two works rarely presented together.
Directed by Curtis Tucker, the production brings together a trio of regional artists — Cristina Backhoum Sanchez, Sean Christopher Stork, and Juan Carlos Tello — who take on all the roles in both mini operas. The cast is joined by pianist Eric Andries, flute and string quartet.
"Opera is for everyone, whether you’ve been attending for decades or are experiencing it for the first time," said Ginger Lindberg, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement. "’Something’s Brewing’ is a particularly good place to start because these are fast-paced, funny stories where relationships and personalities take center stage."
Two Ways to Experience “Something’s Brewing”
Audiences can choose between a dinner opera experience on September 10, or an afternoon coffee matinee on September 12, both at Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia in St. Augustine Beach.
Dinner & Opera: Thursday, September 10, at 6:00 p.m.
The evening begins with a cocktail hour with “Coffee Cantata,” followed by dinner and “Rita,” creating a complete night out centered around opera. VIP tickets include an optional pre-show champagne reception and priority seating.
Coffee Matinee: Saturday, September 12, at 2:00 p.m.
The Saturday matinee offers a more casual way to experience the production, with coffee served alongside the performance.
An Invitation to a New Generation of Opera-goers
First Coast Opera is making “Something’s Brewing” especially accessible to younger audiences. Children and teens under 18 can attend the Saturday matinee for free, with up to two free youth tickets available with each adult ticket. Adults under 30 can purchase a Young Patron ticket for $30.
First Coast Opera on Tour
The production will also travel beyond St. Augustine, with performances planned in Jacksonville Beach, Amelia Island and Mount Dora, bringing Bach's “Coffee Cantata” and Donizetti's “Rita” to a wider audience in Florida.
Ticket Information
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m. — Dinner & Opera (sales end Sept 3)
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m. — Coffee Matinee
Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia
5205 A1A South, St. Augustine Beach, Florida
Pricing:
Dinner & Opera: $60–$120 with an optional VIP add-on
Coffee Matinee: $30–$50
Children & teens under 18: Free for the Saturday matinee
Tickets and additional information: firstcoastopera.org/something-brewing
About First Coast Opera
Founded in 2000, First Coast Opera is a professional opera company that presents high-quality performances that inspire, entertain, and enrich the cultural life of Northeast Florida. Through mainstage productions, concerts, educational outreach, and community partnerships, First Coast Opera is committed to making opera accessible to audiences of all ages.
