Bass Ricardo Lugo Joins New England Conservatory Voice Faculty

The Puerto Rican vocalist will bring his operatic experience to the Boston-based conservatory

New England Conservatory (NEC) has announced the appointment of bass Ricardo Lugo to its voice faculty. Lugo will begin his tenure at NEC in the 2025-2026 academic year. He will teach applied voice, sharing his knowledge and profound passion for opera and song with the Conservatory’s students.

A graduate of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, where he earned his bachelor of music degree, and The Juilliard School, where he earned a master of music degree in voice, Lugo made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Un Barnabotto in La Gioconda. has since appeared in numerous Met productions, including The Nose, Ariadne auf Naxos, Khovanshchina, Billy Budd, La fanciulla del West, Adriana Lecouvreur, Macbeth, The Gambler, and Salome.

As an educator, Lugo has been a member of the voice faculty at Cornell University and worked with the Olga Iglesias Project, a nonprofit educational and scholarship initiative in Puerto Rico.

His extensive performance history includes engagements with such companies as the San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Virginia Opera, and Opera Memphis.

“For me, this is a significant milestone in my ongoing journey, not only as a Latin/Hispanic artist but also as a mentor for those within my community,” Lugo said. “This appointment feels like the culmination of a full-circle journey, as two of my mentors and dear friends — Ilca Lopez ’81 MM, my former voice teacher, and Justino Díaz ’63, ’86 hon. DM, a towering figure in the opera world — were both integral members of the NEC family.”

“I am honored and excited to be a part of the esteemed faculty at New England Conservatory,” Lugo continued. “The opportunity to contribute to such a rich legacy of artistic and historical excellence is a privilege I hold dear. Being a part of this institution will allow me to work alongside an extraordinary team of passionate educators, artists, and performers who inspire and challenge each other daily. NEC’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering creativity will make it a dynamic place to teach, collaborate, and grow personally and professionally.”

Bradley Williams, Chair of NEC’s Voice Department, expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Ricardo Lugo to our faculty. His exceptional artistry and dedication to education align perfectly with NEC’s mission to cultivate and inspire the next generation of musicians. Our students will greatly benefit from his vast experience, insights, and mentorship.”