One of the most beloved and celebrated musical ambassadors of our time, soprano Renée Fleming captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage presence.
Known as “the people’s diva” and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo, she continues to grace the world’s greatest opera stages and concert halls, now extending her reach to include other musical forms and media.
Over the past few seasons, Fleming has hosted a wide variety of television and radio broadcasts, including the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series for movie theaters and television, and Live From Lincoln Center on PBS. As a musical statesman, Renée Fleming has been sought after on numerous distinguished occasions, from the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to performances in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games.
In 2009, Fleming was featured in the televised We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial concert for President Obama. In 2012, she sang on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II. She has also performed for the U.S. Supreme Court and, in 2009, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s “Velvet Revolution” at the invitation of Václav Havel.
An additional distinction was bestowed in 2008 when, breaking a precedent, Fleming became the first woman in the 125-year history of the Metropolitan Opera to solo headline an opening night gala.
In 2012, Fleming added a new character to her repertoire, the title role in Ariadne auf Naxos in a new Baden-Baden production by Philippe Arlaud and conducted by Christian Thielemann. She also appeared in the title role in Arabella in a new production at the Paris Opera, conducted by Philippe Jordan. Her Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier, under the baton of Constantin Trinks, was seen at the Munich Opera Festival.
Fleming began the 2012-13 season as Desdemona in Otello at the Metropolitan Opera, conducted by Semyon Bychkov, which was broadcast around the world via Live in HD. The year 2013 found her at Carnegie Hall and Lyric Opera of Chicago in André Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire, playing Blanche DuBois, a role she created in the world premiere.
In June 2013, Fleming returned to Vienna as the Countess in Cappriccio, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach. She has been presented by LA Opera numerous times in recital and made her mainstage LA Opera debut in 2006 as Violetta in La Traviata, a production that was filmed for DVD release.
At a White House ceremony in July 2013, President Obama awarded Fleming the National Medal of Arts, America’s highest honor for an individual artist.
Palm Springs Life Festival, March 20 through April 24, 2016. Tickets: www.palmspringslifefestival.com
Plácido Domingo with Renée Fleming, 8:30-10 p.m. March 20, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage