Renee Fleming will sing arias, lieder and rock 'n' roll in Costa Mesa — and maybe 'Happy Birthday, dear Henry'
Renee Fleming’s fans may greet the news that she’ll give a recital April 5 in Costa Mesa with a chorus of “Hallelujahs.”
This time, the soprano plans to sing it right back at 'em: The program at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is divided into a first half of operatic arias and Strauss lieder, with Fleming accompanied by a pianist, and a second part in which she’ll front a pop-rock band for selections from “Dark Hope,” her 2010 album of songs by contemporary songwriters — including Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
The one-off performance was booked to provide just the right 88th birthday gift for Henry Segerstrom, said Dean Corey, executive director of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, presenting the recital.
“He loves Renee Fleming, so we were able to piece it together,” Corey said of Orange County's leading arts patron.
The announced program includes 19th and early 20th century works by Jules Massenet, Charles Gounod, Antonin Dvorak, Franz Lehar, Richard Strauss, Francesco Cilea and Alfredo Catalani, followed by the contemporary pop-crossover segment expected to include “Hallelujah,” Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” and songs by the rock bands Muse and Death Cab for Cutie.
Related:
Renee Fleming takes a detour into indie rock
Music review: Renee Fleming at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Renee Fleming rocks out on 'Dark Hope'
Watch Renee Fleming's music-video of 'Endlessly,' by indie-rock band Muse
Renee Fleming — opera, pop and snobbery (and music samples)
Philharmonic Society of Orange County announces 2011-12 season
'OCPAC' packs it in, changing name to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
— Mike Boehm
Photo: Renee Fleming sings to the accompaniment of Gerald Martin Moore in a 2009 recital at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times.
