Renee Fleming to sing national anthem at Super Bowl

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 12:52pm

"NEW YORK (AP) — The Super Bowl will have a touch of the classical this year: Opera star Renee Fleming will sing the national anthem.

The four-time Grammy winner will perform before the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Feb 2. Fleming is the first opera star to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. In recent years, it has been performed mainly by a mix of pop and country stars."

Her on Letterman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0jYh3KMOuk

An excellent choice I think.
Renee Fleming to sing national anthem

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 12:57pm

This will be gorgeous.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:05pm

Counter-programming, in case Kiri Te Kanawa shows up again on "Downton Abbey"?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:12pm

^^^LOL

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:14pm

Wonderful news. She is one of the nicest people you could ever meet and I'm sure she'll sound glorious.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:14pm

She's a great choice! I think she is soooo beautiful!

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:20pm

I know fvckall about opera but I love her.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:27pm

But if they're so desperate to get the gays to watch, they should just have the cast of "Magic Mike" do the half-time show.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:33pm

Reginald, the gays WILL be watching. I for one love my tight ends and wide receivers, they are what make the game.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:36pm

I agree, Carlos. But we're talking about football.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:51pm

Huh?!? What?!? Que?!?

Precisely what I was talking about as well.

Feet and balls are involved.

Sometimes...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:55pm

'Take a knee' means something very different during a football game, Carlos.

Veeeerrrrrrry different.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 1:58pm

My team played last year, so I'm not sure I'll be watching this year.

My team is Beyonce.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 2:02pm

'Take a knee' means something very different during a football game, Carlos.

Veeeerrrrrrry different.

Ooooh! Gotcha!

LOL @ Kad.

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 2:23pm

Speaking of Beyonce, do you think either Ms. Fleming and/or the half-time performers will perform to pre-recordings due to the weather? Hopefully, the weather will not be anything like what we're experiencing today,

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 2:33pm

I wouldn't be surprised if they did pre-record - just to be safe with cold weather.

What a marvelous choice for the national anthem. I'm thrilled!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 8:56pm

It'll be gorgeous, like Renee-singing-"Somewhere" gorgeous.
Alfie Boe & Renee Fleming sing Somewhere

[HorseTears]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:16pm

I've never understood the appeal of this woman. I know she's a huge star, but she makes June Cleaver seem exciting and exotic. And, Lord, the way she sings in English is just atrocious. I understand that it's the product of decades of training and technique, but there are noted opera singers -- for example Dawn Upshaw -- who can sing in English and sound, well, like a native English speaker rather than like an Italian ESL student with a cannoli stuck in her throat. Don't get me wrong, I love Kermit the Frog as much as the next guy. Sorry for the interruption, get back to your love fest.

(SH*T, now I really want a cannoli)

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:20pm

Sorry. Tell us whom you like and we'll try to get excited about that.



Updated On: 1/21/14 at 09:20 PM

[HorseTears]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:25pm

Just a voice for the dissent, Reginald. I'm not going to argue anyone into not liking her -- nor would I want to. She's the official American ambassador of opera. I get it.

BTW, your first comment re: counter-programming made me almost spit my beer out. Hilarious! :)

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:40pm

That's what I'm here for.

Honestly, she's not one of my particular favorites. But I think she's been a way in to enjoying opera for a lot of people.

Mostly I'm just thrilled at her inclusion in this event. It's the kind of blending of American diversity that we don't get enough of.

I said that badly, but hopefully everyone knows what I mean.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:54pm

My singing group performed in the 1992 Richard Tucker Gala - and the finale was "Make Our Garden Grow" with Renee Fleming and Jerry Hadley. (And all the other soloists that evening).

Not the best recording, and, with only 1 rehearsal, not the cleanest performance, but it's Renee. And Jerry. And a glorious song.

And Leontyne Price!

And, alot of big early-90s hair!

(I used to love performing in the Richard Tucker Galas. So much incredible talent. It was like a master class during rehearsals).


"Make Our Garden Grow"

Updated On: 1/21/14 at 09:54 PM

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:55pm

Wonderful, Addy! One of my favorites pieces. I want it at my wedding.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:56pm

Just before we all retire to the bouncy castle.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/21/14 at 9:56pm

That's a perfect wedding song, Reg!

And LOL to the bouncy castle!

(Just added the link...)

Updated On: 1/21/14 at 09:56 PM