Boston University Opera Institute

Boston University Opera Institute

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The official page of the Boston University Opera Institute. This is the place to learn about news and events from the opera programs at BU.

The Opera Institute is an intensive, highly selective two-year performance-based training program for emerging operatic artists. Up to 12 individuals are accepted into the program each year through a process of national audition and recruitment. Each Institute member receives full tuition. The Institute also serves as the Center of Opera Training for Vocal Performance degree candidates where stude

#ProudtoBU: 📢 New album release! @bu_opera announces the official release and new recording of "El Caminante" through @parmarecordings' GRAMMY®-winning Navona Records Label. 🎼 

"El Caminante," a long-forgotten Cuban 🇨🇺 opera by composer Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes that first premiered in 1921, was rediscovered after 100 years by David Guzmán, assistant professor of music, voice at @bu_music. A century later, the opera had its world (re)premiere at @bostonu's Tsai Performance Center, with a concert-style performance by the BU Symphony Orchestra and BU Opera Institute, conducted by @william.lumpkin, associate professor of music and artistic director and conductor of BU’s Opera Institute, and acclaimed soprano and BU alum @michellejohnsonsoprano (CFA’07).

“The recording of 'El Caminante' marks a pivotal moment in expanding the visibility and appreciation of Spanish-language operas on the global stage,” says @david_guzman_tenor, who, besides discovering the long-lost opera, sings the title tenor role. “Like the other five operas by Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes, 'El Caminante' represents a missing link in the evolution of Latin American opera—a rich legacy that has long remained underrepresented in the broader operatic narrative.” 

El Caminante tells the story of a girl, Yolanda, who has lost the ability to walk, and her mother, Ginesa, who spends her days searching for help for her daughter’s condition. Yolanda dreams of a mysterious stranger coming to heal her, and one is sent to Yolanda and her mother in the form of a caminante, who comes to them seeking water for his journey. 

“At the core of this project is a commitment to excellence, innovation, and real-world artistic exploration—values that are deeply embedded in BU’s educational vision. Our students had a rare and invaluable opportunity to engage directly with a living research and performance process," says Guzmán.

Head to the 🔗 in bio to...
🔎 Read more about Guzmán's journey in rediscovering the opera
🐾 Hear from the team who helped bring the opera back to life at BU, and
🎧 Listen to the album, now available to stream/buy on @applemusic, @spotify, and more streaming platforms! 08/22/2025

#ProudtoBU: 📢 New album release! @bu_opera announces the official release and new recording of "El Caminante" through @parmarecordings' GRAMMY®-winning Navona Records Label. 🎼 "El Caminante," a long-forgotten Cuban 🇨🇺 opera by composer Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes that first premiered in 1921, was rediscovered after 100 years by David Guzmán, assistant professor of music, voice at @bu_music. A century later, the opera had its world (re)premiere at @bostonu's Tsai Performance Center, with a concert-style performance by the BU Symphony Orchestra and BU Opera Institute, conducted by @william.lumpkin, associate professor of music and artistic director and conductor of BU’s Opera Institute, and acclaimed soprano and BU alum @michellejohnsonsoprano (CFA’07). “The recording of 'El Caminante' marks a pivotal moment in expanding the visibility and appreciation of Spanish-language operas on the global stage,” says @david_guzman_tenor, who, besides discovering the long-lost opera, sings the title tenor role. “Like the other five operas by Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes, 'El Caminante' represents a missing link in the evolution of Latin American opera—a rich legacy that has long remained underrepresented in the broader operatic narrative.” El Caminante tells the story of a girl, Yolanda, who has lost the ability to walk, and her mother, Ginesa, who spends her days searching for help for her daughter’s condition. Yolanda dreams of a mysterious stranger coming to heal her, and one is sent to Yolanda and her mother in the form of a caminante, who comes to them seeking water for his journey. “At the core of this project is a commitment to excellence, innovation, and real-world artistic exploration—values that are deeply embedded in BU’s educational vision. Our students had a rare and invaluable opportunity to engage directly with a living research and performance process," says Guzmán. Head to the 🔗 in bio to... 🔎 Read more about Guzmán's journey in rediscovering the opera 🐾 Hear from the team who helped bring the opera back to life at BU, and 🎧 Listen to the album, now available to stream/buy on @applemusic, @spotify, and more streaming platforms!

Photos from Boston University Opera Institute's post 11/12/2024
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808 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA
02215