Continuing the vanilla theme of this year's Super Bowl, Opera star Renée Fleming sang the annual sporting event's rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner [See how other Divas compared, here].
This was one Diva who was never going to have a problem covering the anthem's notorious one-and-a-half octave range; culminating her own performance with a resonate A5. It was, on paper, an impressive rendition. However, the Diva's voice just wasn't my cup of tea, with the meatier timbre carried throughout the range not sounding particularly beautiful to me. Maybe ya'll feel different.
Take a listen and let me know!
Thoughts?
She looked great and sounded great. That final head tone was gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I commend this performance mainly because she sang it "live" in those weather conditions but I wouldn't expect anything less from a virtuoso. This performance will have people divided but, from an objective- musical and technical standpoint, she sounded fantastic; it wasn't a ground-breaking performance but she did it just enough justice.
ReplyDeleteIt WAS groundbreaking, it was controversial, and overall it was AMAZING. As Renee herself said "Operatic singing is not for everybody's taste, but everybody should at least be exposed to it. So having the opportunity to say 'see if you like it' is a blessing for me".
ReplyDeleteRenee Fleming is FLAWLESS. I could kiss the floor she walks on. As far as opera divas goes, she is the Supreme of our generation. Though I'm starting to see Anna Netrebko as a potential future Supreme. Lately I've been listening to her most recent Strauss album with the "Four Last Songs" and arias from Ariadne...it's transcendental. I also adore her in bel canto repertoire (though her agility always requires a little work) and in Mozart (she was made to sing the more lyric weight Mozart heroines). But not only is she a fantastic opera singer, she is also a fine jazz vocalist and even pop-rock interpreter. Her alternative rock album "Dark Hope" is marvelous.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu9jmCCOkFA
I have a love for opera, but it was quite a culture shock hearing my nation's anthem morphed by Renee's operatic styling. It was well sung, that is never up for debate when Renee uses her voice, however I'm not sure if I quite like it. Who knows, it may be like jumping in a pool of water, cold at first, but an enjoyable experience, given time :)
ReplyDeleteIs it not transformed (in a bad way) when sung by country singers that can't sing well or by R&B/pop singers doing endless runs and aimless off pitch notes or forget the words?
ReplyDeleteThat's not what he said...at all.
ReplyDeleteWho rattled your cage? go shave your back now.
ReplyDeleteI know it's hard to be a respectful person, so I won't judge you.
ReplyDeletehttp://31.media.tumblr.com/57a2bb4cb7a208359baa5ef510e73733/tumblr_n09c3qoxAy1qk08n1o2_250.gif
ReplyDeletehttp://31.media.tumblr.com/9865cfccb3da54f44720488acd1868f1/tumblr_n09c3qoxAy1qk08n1o3_250.gif