NJSO backs Renée Fleming’s national anthem performance

Jan 28, 2014

Tune in on FOX 30 minutes before kickoff on Sunday night to hear Renée Fleming sing the national anthem with accompaniment from the NJSO!

Read what media, fans and arts groups are saying on social media.

The Star-Ledger’s Ronni Reich writes:

Renée Fleming won’t be the only classical musician in the spotlight at Super Bowl XLVIII.

Adding a dose of local pride will be the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, who will provide a recording of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to accompany the soprano.

Fleming, a National Medal of the Arts Winner, will be the first opera singer ever to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl ... Sometimes called "the People's Diva," her rich, creamy voice and elegant but approachable presence have made her a regular figure at important events including the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and the 2008 Olympic Games ...

"Renée Fleming is a true luminary, and we are so excited that 'The People's Diva' will share her immense talent with the nation on Sunday," said NJSO president and CEO James Roe. "The NJSO is proud to support her as she takes center stage for what we know will be a powerful, moving performance of our national anthem."

"To have the country's signature sporting event in New Jersey is a wonderful showcase for the Garden State, and we are honored to play a part in it," added board co-chair Stephen Sichak Jr.

Read the full article at nj.com.

The national anthem performance is the subject of several prop bets—watch MSNBC discuss all of the interesting subjects on which people are wagering. We’re removing ourselves from tonight’s national anthem prop bets—but the odds that Renée Fleming’s performance will be spectacular are 100%!

Watch Fleming’s official press conference, at which, The Star-Ledger writes, “the People’s Diva” was introduced as “the Peyton Manning of the opera world.”

Watch Fleming’s appearance on “The View”:

Fleming spoke wtih The New York Times about her feelings heading into her performance at the big game.

Read more in The Los Angeles Times.

The Star-Ledger’s Reich previously wrote about the announcement that Fleming would become the first opera singer to perform the national anthem at the country’s biggest sporting event.