Advertisement

Renee Fleming will sing arias, lieder and rock ‘n’ roll in Costa Mesa — and maybe ‘Happy Birthday, dear Henry’

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

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.”

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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)

On a high note

Philharmonic Society of Orange County announces 2011-12 season

OCPAC’ packs it in, changing name to Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Advertisement

— Mike Boehm

Advertisement