Posted on 01/27/2014 7:10:03 AM PST by rhema
Renée Fleming has hit some important pop-culture markers in the past few months. In September, she went on David Letterman’s show to sing the Top Ten list. Now, she’s going to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Musical attention at the Super Bowl usually focuses on the halftime show, but since this kind of attention is so rare in classical music these days, and since Fleming is the first opera singer ever to be accorded this, well, honor, the announcement has caused quite a stir.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It may be tough for an opera singer to hit the high notes with sleet flying in her face. Hope she’s pre-recorded and lip-synching.
There was one dude at the Forum in Montreal, a tenor, during the late 80’s early 90’s who would make me stop me in my tracks.
Well said, Rhema!!
You could not be more wrong. Houston's rendition at Super Bowl XXV (Bills v Giants) was the best I have ever heard. I was at that game in Tampa and believe me when I say there was not a dry eye in the stadium at the end. The game was played right after Desert Storm remember. Go to YouTube and watch it.
Some people never learn the sometimes......understated, subtle, and dignified works better.
I blame Jose Feliciano, he started the whole “interpretation” thing during the 68 World Series.
Some of them do sound like they are “death rattling” when they try to hit the high notes!
The first opera singer since Enrico Palazzo.
Now if they’d only do a section of Phantom of the Opers for halftime, that would be something.
I do not like Opera but it has to be a refreshing change from some of the idiots they choose to sing the anthem.
Most of the female singers they choose to sing the anthem need to go back to hooking on the corner. Most of the male singers need to go back to shining shoes at the bus station. ;-)
I like this Marine’s eloquence a lot better than mine!
Semper Fi!
Didn’t she sing the anthem once before, at another event, and fumble the words?
“I blame Jose Feliciano, he started the whole “interpretation” thing during the 68 World Series.”
Didn’t Lou Rawls beat him to the punch? I remember the news story about Rawls disrespecting the anthem when he sang it at a game.
Heh ...
“meadsjn” could not be more right. I hated Whiney Houston’s butchery of the National Anthem when she committed it, and have grown to find it, and its imitators, more loathsome as the years pass.
The Marine Officer quoted at the top of this thread is 1000% dead-nuts on.
At last someone, for the first time in 2 decades or more who will sing it with grace, power, and dignity...I’m psyched!
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I cannot recall if it was Denver/New England or the 49ers/Seahawks game, but the singer sang it very straight. It was shocking and quite enjoyable.
Save your vocal pyrotechnics for other songs.
“Hey, it’s Enrico Palazzo!”
I just hope that when the time comes for her to knock a referee unconcious and then save Queen Elizabeth’s life, she, like Enrico Palazzo, has what it takes.
Refreshingly said.
IMHO
Amen. But I am afraid that Fleming will show off. I don’t like the way she sings OPERA!
I agree. It was so well done that It makes me sad to recall how she wasted her talent in years thereafter. She was the female Elvis.
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