The fascinating personal story of one of the most celebrated talents in today's music scene
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One: Family
Chapter Two: Education
Chapter Three: Apprenticeship
Chapter Four: Mentors
Chapter Five: Success
Chapter Six: Challenge
Chapter Seven: Business
Chapter Eight: Longevity
Chapter Nine: Image
Chapter Ten: Performance
Chapter Eleven: Roles
Chapter Twelve: Backstage
Chapter Thirteen: Coda
Renee Fleming has been heralded throughout the world by public and press as one of the great voices of our time. An international artist for more than a decade, she is recognized for her compelling artistry, beautiful sound, and interpretive talents.
"Her perceptive account of what it takes to become and continue to
be a great performer will resonate with all those who dream big." -
Kirkus Reviews
"Well worth reading." -- Opera Today
"Fleming offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the life of an
opera singer -- from the early struggles of her career to the
artistic and commercial pressures of the trade." -- NPR
Calling this candid account "the autobiography of my voice," soprano Fleming details the years of study it took to master the art of vocal production and the discipline that brought her international renown. A former manager deemed her "the single most ambitious singer he has ever known," and given the tenacity with which she faced early setbacks-"I have a noble history of being rejected from a lot of places," she writes-his comment is understandable. After her first big break in 1990 (as the Countess in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro with the Houston Grand Opera), Fleming's rise to the top was steady. But she's quick to point out that the life of an opera star is not always glitter and glamour; the business side of singing-scheduling performances, arranging interviews and recordings, choosing a repertoire and marketing herself-is arduous. Although Fleming offers glimpses into her personal life, touching on her failed marriage and her loving relationship with her two daughters and concluding with a chapter describing what she experiences backstage during a Metropolitan Opera production, this is not a deeply intimate autobiography full of childhood vignettes, personal anecdotes and behind-the-curtains gossip. Instead, it's a realistic portrait of what it takes to succeed and a volume intriguing for its advice and honesty. Agent, Lisa Queen and Alec Treuhaft at IMG. (Nov.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
"Her perceptive account of what it takes to become and continue to
be a great performer will resonate with all those who dream big." -
Kirkus Reviews
"Well worth reading." -- Opera Today
"Fleming offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the life of an
opera singer -- from the early struggles of her career to the
artistic and commercial pressures of the trade." -- NPR
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