- By J. Cook
There is only one singer in the world who has performed and recorded in Italian, German, French, Czech, Russian, English, and Sindarin (Elvish), and that singer is Soprano Renée Fleming. Her career has spanned four decades at the Metropolitan Opera—five if you count winning the Met Auditions in 1988. She has performed on pretty much every significant stage in the world, in most of the significant parts in many of the most significant operas. And now, she is returning to the LA opera for a recital in June.
She will be joined by pianist Inon Barnatan, and will showcase a program as diverse as her career. Alongside arias from Handel, Massenet, and Cilea, she will also be doing Björk, Nico Muhly, Hazel Dickens, Curtis Green, Kevin Puts, Maria Schneider, and her song from the Academy Award WInning Soundtrack LOTR Return of the King, sung in dead Elvish.
Ms. Fleming is also an advocate for the impact of music on heath and neuroscience. Just last year she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health by the World Health Organization. This is why she will introduce the daylong Arts and Health Summit being held at the Dorthy Chandler on Friday, June 14th. Her recital on Saturday, June 15th, will mark the conclusion of the summit.
The summit itself will be hosted alongside LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, LA County Department of Arts and Culture, Healing Arts—an initiative of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, and the World Health Organiation—yes, that WHO—all gathering for discussions and presentations to explore the many ways art can support health and wellbeing.
Click here to learn more. See you at the Opera!
