Opera star Renée Fleming to sing at Super Bowl XLVIII

by Michelle da Silva on January 21st, 2014 at 10:50 AM

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In between the opening fanfare and halftime pyrotechnics, classical music will have a moment at NFL football’s biggest game this year. Opera singer Renée Fleming has been chosen to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, according to CBS.

The iconic American soprano, who was awarded the National Medal for the Arts in 2012, has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Centre, the Beijing Olympics, and U.S. President Barack Obama’s inauguration at the Lincoln Memorial.

After receiving her training at the Julliard School, Fleming won the Metropolitan Opera Auditions at the age of 29. She has a recording contract with Decca Records and is a four-time Grammy Award winner.

Fleming follows in the footsteps of female vocalists chosen to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, including Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson.

Super Bowl XLVIII will see the Seattle Seahawks play the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are scheduled to perform during the halftime show.