Soprano Elin Rombo returning to BU for honorary degree and concert performance

An esteemed graduate of the Brandon University (BU) School of Music will return to BU this month to receive an honorary degree and participate in a residency that will also include a public concert.

Elin Rombo, a soprano who graduated from BU with a Bachelor of Music in 1998 before going on to starring roles in opera houses across Europe, will be welcomed back to the Convocation stage again on Thursday, May 29. She will receive an honorary degree at the morning ceremony at the Healthy Living Centre. That evening, Rombo will be joined by pianist Sharon Rogers for a recital at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall.

“Elin has raised the profile of our School of Music by performing to great acclaim at many of Europe’s greatest venues,” said Dr. Kofi Campbell, Acting President and Vice-Chancellor at BU. “In addition to her remarkable success on stage, she has returned to Brandon numerous times to perform and to share her experience and insight with our students. We’re proud to count Elin among our alumni and we’re excited to strengthen that connection with her at Convocation.”

Rombo returned home to Sweden following her studies at BU and went on to graduate from Stockholm’s University College of Opera, making her Royal Swedish Opera debut in 2003. She has performed at renowned opera houses in Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris and Warsaw, among others, and been a feature soloist for several major orchestras. Rombo has made appearances in world-premiere performances of works by Catharina Backman, Philip Glass, Wolfgang Rihm, Sven-David Sandström and Rufus Wainwright. She has returned to BU for concerts and masterclasses, including an artist/teaching residency in 2023.

The evening performance will reunite Rombo with Rogers, a School of Music faculty member.  The duo has collaborated frequently since they studied together at BU, and they will perform a series of songs and arias. The May 29 concert will begin at 8 p.m. Please contact Terry McMaster at McMasterT@BrandonU.ca for complimentary tickets. Limited seating is available. Additionally, Rombo will work with students as a lecturer-in-residence until June 3.

“Elin has been a consummate ambassador for Brandon University and an incredible mentor for our students. I’m delighted that we’ll be recognizing her continued contributions,” said Greg Gatien, Dean of Music and Acting Provost at BU. “Both Elin and Sharon are remarkable musicians who share a special bond onstage, and it will be a treat to see them perform together once again.”

Rombo is one of two honorary degree recipients who will also be performing this month. Broadcaster, musician and writer Tom Allen will receive an honorary degree during the same ceremony on May 29 and will present his chamber musical, JS Bach’s Long Walk in the Snow, on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m., at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall.

Brandon University bestows individuals with an honorary degree based on significant service to the university community or society; excellence in professional life or public service; or advancement of knowledge through research or teaching. Each year nominations are received from within the BU community as well as from other supporters of the University.

This year’s two-day Convocation will take place on Thursday, May 29 and Friday May 30, with ceremonies for graduates in Science and Music (Thursday, 10 a.m.), Education (Thursday, 2 p.m.), Health Studies (Friday, 10 a.m.) and Arts (Friday, 2 p.m.).

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