St. Augustine’s Romanza Festivale of MUSIC and The Arts returns in 2024 with two weeks of daily events

featuring dozens of concerts, shows, exhibits and much more at locations throughout the city. 

Showcasing productions by dozens of St. Augustine’s talented Arts and Cultural nonprofit organizations.

Most events are FREE!

Schedule:

12:00pm - 1:00pm - First Coast Opera – “The Stranger’s Tale”

First Coast opera will present “The Stranger’s Tale”, an opera examining the issue of homelessness and the stigma experienced by those it affects. The one hour performance will take place at Ancient City Baptist Church in St. Augustine on Friday, May 10, at 12 noon as part of the Chamber Music Series of Romanza Festivale of Arts and Culture.

A story of faith and hope, “The Stranger’s Tale” examines modern homelessness through music and drama. Set around a park bench, this one-act opera centers on an unnamed man who is apparently experiencing homelessness. His interactions, sometimes unwanted, uplift other park goers who encounter him. Are the effects accidental, coincidental, or divine? According to Tucker, “that is for the audience to decide”.

The opera features an original libretto by Nelson Sheeley and music by FCO Artistic Director, Curtis Tucker. This project is funded in part by the Romanza Festivale of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Location: Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla St.

3:00pm - 4:00pm - An Afternoon Visit with Elizabeth Randall, Author

Acclaimed author, Elizabeth Randall is a widely published freelance writer who has written six non-fiction books and one fiction mystery/thriller: Fire is the Test of Gold. She is also a retired English teacher with a Master’s degree in English Education. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor of English composition at seminole State College in Sanford while completing her eighth book about Florida: Secret St. Augustine.

Location: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 37 Lovett St.

7:30pm - 9:00pm - The St. Augustine Concert Band presents “IMAGINATION”

Once again, the St. Augustine Concert Band will entertain their audience with a delightful concert entitled “IMAGINATION”. This, their final concert of this season will feature some of the most powerful, thought-provoking, moving and enjoyable concert band literature ever composed. The Band will take the audience on a journey which will allow them to feel and experience their own emotion, power and meaning of each composition. The program features works of some of the finest composers working today including Randall Standridge, Todd Salter, Rossano Galante, Brian Balmages and Dakota Peterson.

Location: R.J. Murray Middle School, 150 N Holmes Blvd.

7:30pm - 9:00pm - HEADLINER: Con Brio String Quartet in Concert

Join us for a Chamber Music Concert where all the nuances of string instruments will be heard. This concert will take the audience on a fantastic musical journey which will feature the works of some of the world’s greatest composers. Con Brio is an internationally acclaimed string quartet and features the talents of Valentin Mansurov, Marina Lenau, David Pedraza and Aziz Sapaev. Individually, these performers have won numerous awards but together, Con Brio brings string music to new heights with their skill, passion and energy. Based in Southeast Florida, the members perform with the Palm Beach Symphony, the Florida Grand Opera and the Symphony of the Americas.

Location: First United Methodist Church

Date: May 3-19, 2024