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Grammy Award winner heads to Wharton

February 26, 2013
	<p>Grammy Award-winning soprano Renée Fleming will perform Wednesday night at Wharton Center. Photo courtesy of Wharton Center</p>

Grammy Award-winning soprano Renée Fleming will perform Wednesday night at Wharton Center. Photo courtesy of Wharton Center

World-renowned soprano Renée Fleming will perform today at Wharton Center. Known by Billboard as “the world’s greatest living soprano,” Fleming will be a welcomed performer to MSU’s campus.

MSU associate professor of voice Peter Lightfoot recognizes Fleming as one of the most famous sopranos in the world.

“Many people unfortunately have preconceived notions about operatic singing and musical theaters,” Lightfoot said. “They are completely mistaken.”

Worldwide opera still is popular today, however, it is not seen or noticed as much as other genres, so people are unaware of the opera music around them, he said. Many times there will be commercials with a heavy crescendo or brief interlude directly relating to opera, but this simply goes unrecognized by many, particularly students, Lightfoot said.

While Fleming has a crowd of fans excitedly awaiting to watch her perform, some students, such as journalism sophomore Jordan Goltz, aren’t as ecstatic about the opera performance at MSU.

“Personally I think the opera is pretty boring — unless of course it’s Will Ferrell at the Catalina Wine Mixer,” Goltz said.

Communication senior, Travis Stroh has not ventured into the genre of opera but is not opposed to begin listening to it either.

“I’ve never heard of (Renée Fleming) until now,” Stroh said. “I’m not much of an opera fan, but it would be interesting to see what a live performance from her would be like.”

Fleming’s performances and albums have won her fame and recognition around the world. Her album, “Verismo,” just won Fleming her third Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo.

“I would hope that people come to hear her sing,” Lightfoot said. “She has an absolutely gorgeous voice and I can’t imagine students not enjoying it.”

The concert, which still has tickets available at the Wharton Center box office, starts at 7:30 p.m. in Cobb Great Hall.

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