Tavis Smiley Interviews Renée Fleming About Her Singing

Renée Fleming sat down with Tavis Smiley in Los Angeles to discuss a variety of topics including what it's like to have André Previn write a piece specifically for the soprano; getting boxed into specific singing genres by critics; the "valleys" of her career; how her voice is holding up to the demands of time; singing the national anthem; singing with honesty; the usefulness of critics; what is going to help the arts survive in the future; among other topics discussed. Watch the video of the interview after the jump, as well as a bonus of an earlier

episode of Tavis Smiley interviewing soprano Jessye Norman from 2011. And in case you missed the Kennedy Center Honors tribute to André Previn in 1998 at which Ms. Fleming sang "I Want Magic!" from the composer's operatic rendition of A Streetcar Named Desire, click the image on the right to launch the video of the performance. For more information about Tavis Smiley and to see more of his interviews, go to PBS online by clicking here.

Renée Fleming Will Not See Plácido Domingo Shirtless In LA

Performing together for nearly two decades, Domingo and Fleming share a moment at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles. (Photo: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)

"'We've been trying to get Renée here for a long time. It was difficult. Her girls were in school. But now, they are grown up,' the Spanish singer said. Domingo is the general director of L.A. Opera. Domingo said he saw Fleming in Streetcar in London and was impressed by Previn's 1998 adaptation of the Tennessee Williams plays. Since Fleming appeared in a new semi-staged production last year at Carnegie Hall, he has been working to bring the opera to L.A. 'The dates have been hell,' he said. Fleming said that when she first performed "Streetcar" in 1998, she was going through a difficult personal time and that actress Julie Harris, who had played Blanche on stage, gave her a good piece of advice. 'She said that this role can get you through the day,' said Fleming. The soprano noted that this production of Streetcar features an abundance of shirtless male performers on stage, which prompted Domingo to joke that he failed the audition for the opera. 'I cannot stay onstage without my shirt,' he said." [Source] For more information about Ms. Fleming's performances of A Streetcar Named Desire, click here. Pictures of shirtless male performers from the opera production can be found after the jump.