Soprano sweetheart Renée Fleming will be hosting American Voices, a performance documentary that celebrates the best in American signing, on Thirteen’s Great Performances series.
The 90-minute performance documentary offers an overview of the Kennedy Center's weekend-long American Voices festival, created and hosted by Renée Fleming in November 2013. This year's festival features stars and musicians from an array of different backgrounds, including Sara Bareilles, Kim Burrell, Kurt Elling, Ben Folds, Sutton Foster, Josh Groban, Alison Krauss, Norm Lewis, Eric Owens and Dianne Reeves.
This event comes on the heels of Fleming’s performance of "Silver Bells" with Kelli O’Hara, which some felt fell flat of Fleming's normal performances, a mixed review of her rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl XLVIII and an interesting interaction with Kiss at this year’s Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Despite the criticism, Fleming moves along with American Voices, which allows camera crews to follow vocal masters, industry titans and emerging artist as they gather at the Kennedy Center to celebrate, explore and debate the legacy, landscape and future of American singing.
The documentary will feature highlights from the festival's unique performances and educational events. Also featured are performances from the festival’s concert finale with Josh Groban, Sara Bareilles, Kurt Elling and Norm Lewis backed by the National Symphony Orchestra led by NSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke.
"The festival explored, across a range of genres, the artistry, business, technology, pedagogy and community of American singing," said Fleming. "The idea of bringing a broad spectrum of singers together with some of the most powerful music industry leaders was a dream come true for me."
The special will air on Thirteen’s Great Performances Jan. 9 at 9 p.m.
Check out Fleming performing "Silver Bells" with Kelli O’Hara below:
