Posted on 02/03/2014 9:34:08 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
Renowned operatic soprano Renee Fleming did a beautiful, unique rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday, Feb. 2, between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.
Fleming was a polarizing selection to sing the American national anthem because of her style. The precedent has been to have pop stars do their take on the historic tune. Often the piece can become glamorized, with too much ornamentation, vocal runs or spins of originality.
To deliver an epic performance on this grand of a stage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., it took nothing more than Fleming's natural talent and mostly strict adherence to the song to allow her efforts to be a great success.
I hope this link works. If not, go to the article link and you can get the video there. I loved her dress too. Classy is an understatement!
Classic music ping!
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better rendition of our national anthem than the one last night.
From the pitch of her first note, it was evident we would be treated to a superb performance. Renee Fleming was outstanding. Brava!
Unlike pop stars Fleming can actually sing the difficult high notes.
I am well aware of Fleming’s talent. I was mildly disappointed, especially with her very last note (that I thought she missed). However, when I spoke to my opera expert buddies, they said she was fine, and technically perfect. I’ll have to listen to it again.
this was the best part of the entire Superbowl... better than the game, better than any of the commercials, and even better than the Halftime Show (which i thoroughly enjoyed—i thought Bruno Mars gave a great performance)... But Renee Fleming was SPECTACULAR!
I thought she might have slightly flat on the last note, but perhaps it was the stadium. Like your opera buddies, I thouroughly enjoyed her rendition, although I still like the Cactus Cuties of a few years ago.
Opera singers can have “off” days also (although I’m overstating it). And sopranos are not designed to sing in cold weather. Again, I didn’t have a problem with her performance . . . just being hyper-critical.
Next time make it an operatic bass.
"Mostly strict adherence" is now grounds for laud?
Tempo was too slow and she drew out notes, not in a pop way, but in an operatic way. Not much difference.
Listen to this: Chicago Bears National Anthem-Jim Cornelison
My wife, who has pretty good ear, thought the last note - in addition to being unnecessary - was a flat. I thought her phrasing missed the mark a couple of times. On the whole, far superior to most large sporting event renditions, though.
Unfortunately, while Fleming was a vast improvement over other pop singers, she was indeed flat, and not just on that last note. She was flat at the end of nearly every phrase, and I thought it could possibly have been the stadium or where the band was located too.
The Cactus Cuties sang the song the way it is SUPPOSED to be sung....The way it should be sung at ALL times..by anyone who sings it....
It should NEVER be modified for the singer’s benefit....
I thought she might have slightly flat on the last note, but perhaps it was the stadium. Like your opera buddies, I thouroughly enjoyed her rendition, although I still like the Cactus Cuties of a few years ago.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cactus cuties national anthem video&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=ED8604FDC5FD4D6E28D5ED8604FDC5FD4D6E28D5
As they say in Texas, they’re all growed up now, but they still sing. And they are are just as nice and sweet.
Wow! Cornelison was terrific. But I dunno about the gunfire. Gunfire in Chicago makes me apprehensive!
Took too long. If we fought wars the way the majority sing the Natl anthem we would get our asses kicked.
That’s the way it’s supposed to be done. None of that crap where they just make up whatever tune they want along the way, and none of that “A-MER-HAIR-HAIR-HAIR-I-CA-AH-AH-AH-AH” crap either.
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