I walked into my local Starbucks for an afternoon pick-me-up and heard Mad World, but it wasn't the version I was used to, so looked at the flat screen and my jaw dropped. RENEE FLEMING! REALLY! I thought, "NO WAY!" I fell in love with her as a lyric soprano many years ago. This is such a departure from her opera career that it blows my mind. And "Mad World", "Soul Meets Body", and "Hallelujah" are three of my favorite songs to boot! Honestly, how can I NOT love this album!
I love that she is willing to take a risk and step outside her comfort zone. Brava for taking the risk and being a true artist in everything you undertake Renee!
This is absolutely one of the best CDs I own. I had no clue who she was until I heard her cover of "In Your Eyes" on Sirius's "The Blend" channel. Bought the CD that day from Amazon. Amazing woman.
Good taste and great interpretation! This remains one of my favourite classical-crossover(if it means in this context classical singers taking on pop music) albums!!!
Fleming has performed and recorded popular music before, and sang in a jazz trio while a university student. Opera singers have performed popular music since the age of Adelina Patti (Eileen Farrell's "I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues," and other pop albums are masterpieces). This new album may not be a masterpiece, but like Farrell, she has earned the right to sing whatever she pleases.
@lilywhitedmb It's because of her classical training that would allow her to belt like a rock star, because it's a healthier kind of belt, when it comes from the classical technique to belt, it also works for the Broadway style of singing, using the Classical Belt, or at least the physical process to produce the belt.
It's because of her classical training that would allow her to belt like a rock star, because it's a healthier kind of belt, when it comes from the classical technique to belt, it also works for the Broadway style of singing, using the Classical Belt, or at least the physical process to produce the belt.
Oh Hell Yeah! I have no idea why I like it....but I DO! Maybe it's the analogy of a "Ferrari driving through a school zone....you can't really cut loose, but people feel the power of it anyway".....I guess I like the restrained power of it all!
İ am waiting for your concert at Aya İrini in İstanbul :)) you are the best singer in th e world :))) i love you.. my favorite song is "I know that my redeemer liveth" from Handel :))
lilywhitedmb....I totally agree. or how about a "crossroads" kind of thing with Renee and Pat Benatar!!!??? singing each others songs, then together. The song at 2:25 is "in your eyes". One either loves this side of Ms. Fleming or not. No arguing needed.
I'm an old geezer, and I remember when Rudolf Bing fired Helen Traubel and then Eileen Farrell because they were singing in clubs and doing jazz recordings. Oh well, Mr. Bing, your legacy has been trampled on! Go Renée, a babe and a diva!
i don't blame renee for trying to cross over...as much as i like opera, opera cd sales are a drop in the bucket compared to mainstream pop music sales....renee's earned her street cred, if she wants to sell out, it's her right...i still love her and her music...
there is something from Tracy Chapman or Natalie Merchant when she sings non-operatic songs. She's amazing! She is one of a few singers that can sing both opera and pop-music on the hign level.
Proof that the snobbery about classical / opera is more alive in the imaginations of devotees of pop than the classical milieu. The adventurous as usual Ms. Fleming, a passionate singer, shows here, too, that you ain't nothin' without technique, and knowing exactly what it is and how to use it. The only opera singer I've heard convincing in 'lighter than opera' song genres.
I would love to see her do a full blown rock album (ala Pat Benatar, who was a classically trained opera singer). I bet she has some good belting pipes under all her classical training.
@sesomp loved your comment... I think she realized she's getting old, and she is losing her power, so this being easy for her, it just pays the bills...
She was so far outside her comfort zone and through the video at times she appears quite stiff, but all of a sudden there was a glimpse of something wanting to jump out and dance ....
@lilywhitedmb I wanna see her do Endlessly in a dance club anthem remix....her voice would be soooo awesome in that genre. of course it will never happen, but still, one can fantasize :)
@LuxieP Educate myself? :) I have been singing opera for over 20 years and am currently a 4th year university student in guess what, music education (voice). Not that I don't still have a lot to learn, yes of course I do, but to say Renee Fleming understands the voice (not her OWN voice) better than anyone else in the world per LohengrinT) is ridiculous. You must admit.
Proof you can be an awesome opera singer and being a common pop singer (her voice is great but this is not the highest level of pop singing i've heard). Proof opera singing is not better in itself than pop singing. Is she belting somewhere in that album???I'd love to hear it
Not sure if you're aware, but belting is actually very destructve to the the vocal chords. Opera singers protect their voices, which could last a lifetime. People who belt often destroy their voices. That's why she doesn't do it.
@LohengrinT Hardly. Anyone with any serious opera training knows the voice resonates in the chest (not the head) in the lower range. Not rocket science.
...idk I liked it better than I thought I would. Her diction is just a tad too perfect for these songs lol. Anyone else notice that she is a lefty but ALWAYS on stage she 'writes' right handed?
This is nothing more than a highly trained voice singing pop. It's just a different style of singing, not rocket science. So it is focused (when not breathy for effect) with good resonance, but not supported (as in "appooggio"). It is physically much easier to sing than opera. This album reminds me of Shakira or Wynonna--fabulous singers for their genre but opera is the highest level of singing there is.
@LohengrinT You said "I doubt anyone else in the world understand the Voice better than Renee Fleming." What's to misunderstand? if you meant something else perhaps you need to try harder at meaningful communication.
I don't really understand this album, doesn't bring anything, flat songs (except maybe Alleluia) and I will stick personally to Rusalka when her voice reached the Moon. Does she need money?
@primohomme .. Better than Whitney in her Prime..Come on.. that's like saying Micheal Bolton Opera Album was like Domingo in his Prime.. We all know this is Wrong!! And I love my NeNe..Renee is So Great to me..but She is WRONG for this ..It's a hot mess, This is the what whitney and Patti Labelle put on at parties for fun
@primohomme come on!! Really.. That's like say that Eileen Farrell "Jazz" singing was like that od Ella's.. Renee i one of my fav sopranos..but she is not anywhere close to whitney in her prime, her voice here is more like Oleta Adams or maybe in color to Regina Belle..Not whitney, she willmake no money as a pop singer.. Love this Lady..but no maam
I walked into my local Starbucks for an afternoon pick-me-up and heard Mad World, but it wasn't the version I was used to, so looked at the flat screen and my jaw dropped. RENEE FLEMING! REALLY! I thought, "NO WAY!" I fell in love with her as a lyric soprano many years ago. This is such a departure from her opera career that it blows my mind. And "Mad World", "Soul Meets Body", and "Hallelujah" are three of my favorite songs to boot! Honestly, how can I NOT love this album!
....love it. love the tone when she whisper Hallelujah with much of feelings inside.
Her voice is so pleasant. It's so...caressing. I could die.
Awesome!! Renee Rocks in so many ways and now this!? I can't wait to own the whole album!!!!
I love that she is willing to take a risk and step outside her comfort zone. Brava for taking the risk and being a true artist in everything you undertake Renee!
This is absolutely one of the best CDs I own. I had no clue who she was until I heard her cover of "In Your Eyes" on Sirius's "The Blend" channel. Bought the CD that day from Amazon. Amazing woman.
Good taste and great interpretation! This remains one of my favourite classical-crossover(if it means in this context classical singers taking on pop music) albums!!!
THIS IS THE GREATEST LOOK FOR HER!!!!! JUST GORGEOUS!!!!
Leonard would have shivers going up and down his spine ...
There are many good singers...there are fewer good producers...
Fleming has performed and recorded popular music before, and sang in a jazz trio while a university student. Opera singers have performed popular music since the age of Adelina Patti (Eileen Farrell's "I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues," and other pop albums are masterpieces). This new album may not be a masterpiece, but like Farrell, she has earned the right to sing whatever she pleases.
@lilywhitedmb It's because of her classical training that would allow her to belt like a rock star, because it's a healthier kind of belt, when it comes from the classical technique to belt, it also works for the Broadway style of singing, using the Classical Belt, or at least the physical process to produce the belt.
she's the most perfect woman ever
It's because of her classical training that would allow her to belt like a rock star, because it's a healthier kind of belt, when it comes from the classical technique to belt, it also works for the Broadway style of singing, using the Classical Belt, or at least the physical process to produce the belt.
Oh Hell Yeah! I have no idea why I like it....but I DO! Maybe it's the analogy of a "Ferrari driving through a school zone....you can't really cut loose, but people feel the power of it anyway".....I guess I like the restrained power of it all!
İ am waiting for your concert at Aya İrini in İstanbul :)) you are the best singer in th e world :))) i love you.. my favorite song is "I know that my redeemer liveth" from Handel :))
"in your eyes"! she's got good taste :)
@MuseDuCafe totally agree. Thus far the most convincing operatic voice outside opera.
lilywhitedmb....I totally agree. or how about a "crossroads" kind of thing with Renee and Pat Benatar!!!??? singing each others songs, then together.
The song at 2:25 is "in your eyes".
One either loves this side of Ms. Fleming or not. No arguing needed.
I'm an old geezer, and I remember when Rudolf Bing fired Helen Traubel and then Eileen Farrell because they were singing in clubs and doing jazz recordings. Oh well, Mr. Bing, your legacy has been trampled on! Go Renée, a babe and a diva!
i don't blame renee for trying to cross over...as much as i like opera, opera cd sales are a drop in the bucket compared to mainstream pop music sales....renee's earned her street cred, if she wants to sell out, it's her right...i still love her and her music...
there is something from Tracy Chapman or Natalie Merchant when she sings non-operatic songs. She's amazing! She is one of a few singers that can sing both opera and pop-music on the hign level.
Proof that the snobbery about classical / opera is more alive in the imaginations of devotees of pop than the classical milieu.
The adventurous as usual Ms. Fleming, a passionate singer, shows here, too, that you ain't nothin' without technique, and knowing exactly what it is and how to use it.
The only opera singer I've heard convincing in 'lighter than opera' song genres.
I would love to see her do a full blown rock album (ala Pat Benatar, who was a classically trained opera singer). I bet she has some good belting pipes under all her classical training.
@sesomp loved your comment... I think she realized she's getting old, and she is losing her power, so this being easy for her, it just pays the bills...
She was so far outside her comfort zone and through the video at times she appears quite stiff, but all of a sudden there was a glimpse of something wanting to jump out and dance ....
omg
Oh please....Church cannot even touch Renee! And Im a die hard Stevie Nicks fan!
@LohengrinT Yep that's true.
@lilywhitedmb I wanna see her do Endlessly in a dance club anthem remix....her voice would be soooo awesome in that genre. of course it will never happen, but still, one can fantasize :)
@LuxieP Educate myself? :) I have been singing opera for over 20 years and am currently a 4th year university student in guess what, music education (voice). Not that I don't still have a lot to learn, yes of course I do, but to say Renee Fleming understands the voice (not her OWN voice) better than anyone else in the world per LohengrinT) is ridiculous. You must admit.
Proof you can be an awesome opera singer and being a common pop singer (her voice is great but this is not the highest level of pop singing i've heard). Proof opera singing is not better in itself than pop singing. Is she belting somewhere in that album???I'd love to hear it
Not sure if you're aware, but belting is actually very destructve to the the vocal chords. Opera singers protect their voices, which could last a lifetime. People who belt often destroy their voices. That's why she doesn't do it.
@LohengrinT Hardly. Anyone with any serious opera training knows the voice resonates in the chest (not the head) in the lower range. Not rocket science.
...idk I liked it better than I thought I would. Her diction is just a tad too perfect for these songs lol. Anyone else notice that she is a lefty but ALWAYS on stage she 'writes' right handed?
she's also too evenly in tune for pop, eh heh. I guess dude didn't tell her she was allowed to go a bit crazy here and there. But nice lower register.
She's magnificent... I love her and I love this CD! Her version of Intervention is pure class, well better than the original imo :-)
This is nothing more than a highly trained voice singing pop. It's just a different style of singing, not rocket science. So it is focused (when not breathy for effect) with good resonance, but not supported (as in "appooggio"). It is physically much easier to sing than opera. This album reminds me of Shakira or Wynonna--fabulous singers for their genre but opera is the highest level of singing there is.
@LohengrinT You said "I doubt anyone else in the world understand the Voice better than Renee Fleming."
What's to misunderstand? if you meant something else perhaps you need to try harder at meaningful communication.
Charlotte Church has already been there and done that. And, who gives a crap about the photography?
how could you say that its not her at all, it makes me sick
I don't really understand this album, doesn't bring anything, flat songs (except maybe Alleluia) and I will stick personally to Rusalka when her voice reached the Moon. Does she need money?
why didn't she just stick to karaoke nights? this is exactly what opera singers sound like doing karaoke. haha
She sounds unnatural and horrible. This whole project is as ill-conceived as those awful extensions that she is wearing. Bad idea all around.
@primohomme .. Better than Whitney in her Prime..Come on.. that's like saying Micheal Bolton Opera Album was like Domingo in his Prime.. We all know this is Wrong!! And I love my NeNe..Renee is So Great to me..but She is WRONG for this ..It's a hot mess, This is the what whitney and Patti Labelle put on at parties for fun
@primohomme come on!! Really.. That's like say that Eileen Farrell "Jazz" singing was like that od Ella's.. Renee i one of my fav sopranos..but she is not anywhere close to whitney in her prime, her voice here is more like Oleta Adams or maybe in color to Regina Belle..Not whitney, she willmake no money as a pop singer.. Love this Lady..but no maam
Saidue Karmo Come on!!!! REnee has earned the right to sing ANYTHING SHE PLEASES!!! If you don't like it, DON'T LISTEN!!
I don't care for her opera singing that much and this stuff doesn't do anything for me either...
she looks utterly bored.
renee, you are an opera siger (the greater) you are doing yourself diservice with this pop album, its no you, sorry
Boring...dull...and plain weird sounding !!!