Danielle De Niese Celebrates Music With World's Biggest Stars

All-Time High: The soprano sings an American classic tune while up in the sky.

"One of the biggest names in the opera world, soprano Danielle de Niese sang live in the studio for BBC Radio 3’s 'In Tune' earlier this year and was one of the presenters of the 2014 BBC Proms." Soprano Danielle de Niese joined fellow classical musicians trumpeter Alison Balsom and violinist Nicola Benedetti to celebrate the joy of music and raise funds for charity. They are joined by mega-stars like Elton John, Emelie Sandé, Kylie Minogue, Pharell Williams, Stevie Wonder, and the original Beach Boys member Brian Wilson. "BBC Music is delighted to share with you this extraordinary version of the Beach Boys' masterpiece, 'God Only Knows,' to celebrate our love of music. With the 80-piece BBC Concert Orchestra at its heart and 27 ridiculously talented musicians from a wide range of genres, this 'impossible orchestra' represents the talent, diversity and musical passion found every single day throughout the BBC. The single is also in aid of this year's BBC Children in Need campaign....The BBC has launched BBC Music and to celebrate has released the single 'God Only Knows,' featuring a dazzling array of musical stars, to raise money for BBC Children in Need. Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Stevie Wonder and Emeli

Sandé are among the 27 artists who joined the BBC Concert Orchestra to record the track and film showing the breadth of the BBC’s music output and its relationship with musicians. The unveiling of BBC Music marks a celebration of brilliant musical talent in this country and beyond, and showcases the BBC’s ongoing support for music programmes, partnerships and ground breaking music initiatives." Learn more about BBC Music by clicking here. The video, details about where to buy the single, and more photos, after the jump. [Source, Source, Source]

iTunes Festival Recruits Plácido Domingo As Closing Among Pop Stars

"Opera singer Placido Domingo has joined Kasabian and Kylie Minogue in the line-up for this year's iTunes Festival. The Spanish tenor is perhaps a surprising choice for the event, which tends to feature pop and rock acts. Domingo, 73, will perform at the Roundhouse in London on September 30 and will be the last act in a month of concerts. Deadmau5 kicks off the concerts on Monday night, followed by headline sets from pop names like Pharrell Williams, Calvin Harris, The Script and Ed Sheeran. Kylie Minogue, Kasabian, Mary J Blige, Blondie, Maroon 5 and Robert Plant are also playing the festival. The organisers quoted Domingo as saying he was thrilled to appear and for 'the recognition that this brings to the unique and magnificent world of opera and of classical music.' Tickets are for competition winners, but gigs can be streamed live in more than 100 countries or watched on-demand."[Source]

Classically-Trained Elly Oh Rocks Rendition On "The Voice Australia"

Full-bodied voice sensation Elly Oh

"She's the timid Sydney woman who teaches opera singing out of her garage - at least that was before The Voice. Now Elly Oh has completed her transformation into a stage queen, wowing the judges with her racy rendition of Jessie J's Mamma Knows Best as the Showdown rounds continued on Monday night. The classically trained Team Ricky singer stepped out onto the stage in a skimpy outfit reminiscent of pop queen Lady Gaga, unleashing her powerful voice as she performed in a sequined bra. She paired the sexy piece with a black blazer, tiny shorts and a pair of thigh-high black boots. After belting out the track the 29-year-old earned a standing ovation from the audience and the coaches, and despite strong performances from her fellow Team Ricky contenders Fely Irvine and Thando Sikwila, it was Elly who mentor Ricky Martin chose to take to New York where she will prepare for the finals. It was one raunchy round of the Showdowns as former Hi-5 children's group singer Fely showed off her slim physique in a black bra under a white blazer." [Source]

Judges of The Voice Australia (left to right): Ricky Martin, Joel Madden, Kylie Minogue, and will.i.am

"South Korean born music teacher Elly Oh has recently branched out into R’n’B, pop and rock after eight years of professional opera singing and extensive classical and opera training in Sydney, Korea and Italy. A little lady with a big voice, it’s hard to believe that this bold 29-year-old was once an extremely shy child. Elly misses her family in Korea but has found a surrogate family in her much loved students to whom she teaches pop music. She likens her newfound musical style to that of Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Adele but has turned to The Voice to broaden her experience across all musical genres and pave the way for her first album." [Source]

Watch a video of the "Mama Knows Best" rendition, as well as an operatic sing-off with fellow contestant Jess Berney of "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi that took place last month, after the jump.

BBC Proms "Classical For Starters" Features Kylie Minogue and More

Saturday, September 8, 5:15 - 10:30 PM in Hyde Park, London

"Join in the Last Night of the Proms celebrations in Hyde Park, as pop superstar Kylie heads a spectacular line-up including English tenor Alfie Boe, operatic pop group Il Divo and the London Community Gospel Choir, with Proms in the Park favourites the BBC Concert Orchestra. Sir Terry Wogan presents the festivities." [Source]