When we last saw opera singer Renée Fleming, she was singing from her home in Virginia as part of the 2020 Metropolitan Opera Gala. On Thursday, May 14th, Fleming will be discussing opera and the art of the song when she headlines Renée Fleming: Live with Carnegie Hall. The live stream event will take place at 2 PM EDT/11 AM.
Joining Fleming for this conversation is singer, songwriter and opera composer Rufus Wainwright (Prima Donna). The conversation will be moderated by Elliot Forest of WQXR Radio New York.
Amongst the topics to be discussed is Richard Strauss’ Four Last Songs, a work Fleming has made a central part of her repertoire. The 84-year-old Strauss wrote these songs in 1948. They were first performed in 1950, one year after his death.
The songs are Frühling (Spring), September, Beim Schlafengehen (When Falling Asleep) and Im Abendrot (At Sunset).
Fleming was most recently seen in the Adam Guettel musical, The Light in the Piazza. She appeared on Broadway in the most recent revival of Carousel and appeared opposite Ben Whishaw in Norma Jeane Baker of Troy.
If you’ve been following the weekly streamed operas from the Metropolitan Opera, she is regularly featured in the productions they have selected.
Wainwright is the perfect person for this conversation. Not only are he and Fleming friends, but one could argue that in addition to writing pop songs, he composes 21st century art songs. He just released an EP called, appropriately enough for our times, Alone Time. His next album, Unfollow the Rules, is scheduled for release in July.
As a reminder, if you cannot watch Renée Fleming Live with Carnegie Hall as it happens, you will be able to see it archive on Carnegie Hall’s website approximately 90 minutes after its conclusion.
Photo of Renée Fleming courtesy of her website.