Renée Fleming Joins Top American A-Listers For Charity Gala

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Renée Fleming joined high-ranking celebrities for a good cause last night in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. The charity event, "SeriousFun Children's Network 2015 New York Gala: An Evening Of SeriousFun Celebrating the Legacy Of Paul Newman," included entertainers David Letterman, George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Danny Devito, Carole King, Tom Hanks, Natalie Cole, and more. Learn more about the charity by clicking here. See more pictures after the jump.

"Sophie's Choice" Uses Johann Strauss Jr. For Big Dance Scene

Sophie (Meryl Streep) and Nathan (Kevin Kline) are having an evening of Southern decadence when the scene climaxes with the two characters dancing romantically to "Frühlingsstimmen" of Johann Strauss II. "'Frühlingsstimmen' ('Voices of Spring'), Op. 410, is a waltz by Johann Strauss II, written in 1882, for orchestra and solo soprano voice. Strauss dedicated the work to the pianist and composer Alfred Grünfeld. The famous coloratura soprano Bertha Schwarz (stage name Bianca Bianchi) sang this concert aria at a grand matinée charity performance at the Theater an der Wien in aid of the 'Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth Foundation for Indigent Austro-Hungarian subjects in Leipzig.' The waltz was not a great success at its premiere, but was more successful when performed on Strauss' tour of Russia in 1886. A piano arrangement by the composer contributed much to its success beyond Vienna. Bianca Bianchi was then a famous member of the Vienna Court Opera Theatre and Strauss was sufficiently inspired to compose a new work, a waltz for solo voice, for the acclaimed singer. The result was his world-renowned "Frühlingsstimmen" waltz which celebrated spring and remained one of the classical repertoire's most famous waltzes. The piece is sometimes used as an insertion aria in the act 2 ball scene of Strauss' operetta Die Fledermaus. The waltz makes a grand entry in the key of B-flat major with loud chords preceded with the waltz's three beats to the bar ushering the first waltz's gentle and swirling melody. The second waltz section invokes the joys of spring with the flute imitating birdsong and a pastoral scene. The plaintive and dramatic third section in F minor probably suggests spring showers whereas the fourth section that follows breaks out from the pensive mood with another cheerful melody in A-flat major. Without a coda, the familiar first waltz melody makes a grand entrance before its breathless finish, strong chords and the usual timpani drumroll and warm brass flourish. A performance lasts between seven and nine minutes." [Source] Watch Carlos Kleiber conduct an orchestral and Kathleen Battle sing a vocal version of "Frühlingsstimmen," as well as more information on Sophie's Choice, after the jump.

Meryl Streep Will Portray Maria Callas In "Master Class" For HBO

Goddesses Of Their Crafts: Maria Callas (left) and Meryl Streep (right)

Callas at Juilliard

"Meryl Streep — the Oscar winner who’s transformed herself into Margaret Thatcher, Anna Wintour and Julia Child — will play opera legend Maria Callas in a film version of Terrence McNally’s play Master Class for HBO, Page Six can exclusively reveal. Mike Nichols will direct the adaptation of the Tony-winning play about iconic diva Callas teaching students at Juilliard in 1971. Hollywood sources say filming will begin in January after Streep tackles another juicy musical project — director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Diablo Cody’s Ricky and the Flash, in which Streep plays a fading rock star who tries

mc²: Maria Callas + Master Class

to reconnect with her estranged kids. 'Meryl is learning the tricks of the guitar trade from none other than legendary Neil Young' for that movie, a source tells us. Master Class debuted on Broadway in 1995 starring Australian actress Zoe Caldwell as Callas and co-starring Audra McDonald. Others who’ve tackled the role include Patti LuPone and Tyne Daly. In the play, Callas reminisces about her storied career and personal life, which included being dumped by Aristotle Onassis for Jacqueline Kennedy." [Source] Listen to the complete master classes of Maria Callas at Juilliard by clicking here.

Director Phyllida Lloyd Knows Strong British Women

Barstow as Elizabeth I
(Photo: Stephen Vaughan)

Director Phyllida Lloyd is best-known worldwide for her work on the film version of the Broadway hit Mamma Mia! In 2000 she directed a project with a bit more gravitas, Benjamin Britten's operatic history of Elizabeth I titled Gloriana. The project was done for BBC television with a cast that included Josephine Barstow, Tom Randle, David Ellis, Susannah Glanville, Emer McGilloway under conductor Paul Daniel. The director's current project will take on another female figure that holds a strong place in English

Streep as Thatcher
(Photo: Alex Bailey)

history, Margaret Thatcher. The film, The Iron Lady, is currently filming with a UK release date set for late 2011. A press release describes the plot as, "A look at the actions taken by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the days leading up to the Falklands War in 1982." It will reunite Ms. Lydia with the star of her mega-hit musical Meryl Streep who plays the  former Prime Minister. [Source]

More pictures from Gloriana after the jump.