Needham’s Longwood Opera was founded in 1986 to fill a void in New England’s performing arts network. After students graduate from universities and conservatories in the Boston area, they have the skills necessary to make a career as opera singers, but they lack the opportunity and vebue to use their talents. Longwood Opera gives these singers a chance to polish their performing skills so that they may become successful artists. So far more than 500 singers have performed as members of the company.