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When conversations turn to the resurgence of zarzuela in Colombia, the name that invariably leads the discussion is Lina Sarmiento. Recognized as the foremost zarzuela and jazz crossover vocalist of the new generation, Sarmiento’s impact is the result of formidable talent paired with an unyielding drive to reinvent tradition.
When conversations turn to the resurgence of zarzuela in Colombia, the name that invariably leads the discussion is Lina Sarmiento. Recognized as the foremost zarzuela and jazz crossover vocalist of the new generation, Sarmiento’s impact is the result of formidable talent paired with an unyielding drive to reinvent tradition. As Ramondo Clere reports, at just 27, her leadership has transformed zarzuela from a nostalgic relic into a living, ever-expanding language of expression—captivating listeners from Medellín to Massachusetts.
Lina Sarmiento’s ascent is inseparable from her pivotal tenure at Fundación Prolírica de Antioquia, recognized as Colombia’s most distinguished institution for the promotion of opera and zarzuela. With more than 35 years of acclaimed productions—many praised for their dazzling stagecraft and celebrated by Medellín’s cultural authorities—Fundación Prolírica has turned historic theaters like Teatro Metropolitano and Pablo Tobón Uribe into vibrant crossroads for music lovers. The organization’s productions are regularly covered by the national press, and its shelves are lined with awards for cultural excellence. Its alumni list reads like a who’s-who of Latin American vocal artistry. Sarmiento emerged as a central figure during three transformative seasons—principal artist, imaginative arranger, and a featured soloist whose performances in La leyenda del beso and La Corte del Faraón packed the house and drew critical praise. One local headline declared her performance “a lightning bolt through tradition,” capturing how she drew young, curious crowds into previously staid concert halls. Veteran artistic directors credit Sarmiento for redefining the institution’s sound, blending jazz harmonies, Colombian rhythms, and daring improvisations to give zarzuela a new voice in the heart of Colombian society.
Beyond Colombia, Sarmiento’s momentum has carried her onto famed international stages. At the storied Boston Early Music Festival——widely regarded as one of the world’s premier celebrations of historically informed performance—she performed for an audience that included some of the world’s leading early and classical musicians, earning standing ovations and invitations for future collaborations. The path ahead is equally electrifying: in 2025, Sarmiento will step onto the legendary stage at Carnegie Hall for the “Attack on Titan: Beyond the Walls" world tour, joining a roster of elite global performers—a testament to her status as a bridge between continents and musical traditions.
Looking to the future, Sarmiento is set to embark on two of the most high-impact artistic residencies in the United States, in collaboration with celebrated Panamanian artist and Berklee College of Music professor Gaby Cotter—herself renowned for appearances with Andrea Bocelli and
Lina Sarmiento’s ascent is inseparable from her pivotal tenure at Fundación Prolírica de Antioquia, recognized as Colombia’s most distinguished institution for the promotion of opera and zarzuela. With more than 35 years of acclaimed productions—many praised for their dazzling stagecraft and celebrated by Medellín’s cultural authorities—Fundación Prolírica has turned historic theaters like Teatro Metropolitano and Pablo Tobón Uribe into vibrant crossroads for music lovers. The organization’s productions are regularly covered by the national press, and its shelves are lined with awards for cultural excellence. Its alumni list reads like a who’s-who of Latin American vocal artistry. Sarmiento emerged as a central figure during three transformative seasons—principal artist, imaginative arranger, and a featured soloist whose performances in La leyenda del beso and La Corte del Faraón packed the house and drew critical praise. One local headline declared her performance “a lightning bolt through tradition,” capturing how she drew young, curious crowds into previously staid concert halls. Veteran artistic directors credit Sarmiento for redefining the institution’s sound, blending jazz harmonies, Colombian rhythms, and daring improvisations to give zarzuela a new voice in the heart of Colombian society.
Beyond Colombia, Sarmiento’s momentum has carried her onto famed international stages. At the storied Boston Early Music Festival——widely regarded as one of the world’s premier celebrations of historically informed performance—she performed for an audience that included some of the world’s leading early and classical musicians, earning standing ovations and invitations for future collaborations. The path ahead is equally electrifying: in 2025, Sarmiento will step onto the legendary stage at Carnegie Hall for the “Attack on Titan: Beyond the Walls" world tour, joining a roster of elite global performers—a testament to her status as a bridge between continents and musical traditions.
Looking to the future, Sarmiento is set to embark on two of the most high-impact artistic residencies in the United States, in collaboration with celebrated Panamanian artist and Berklee College of Music professor Gaby Cotter—herself renowned for appearances with Andrea Bocelli and
Cassandra Wilson
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