Christopher Macchio Slaughters Puccini In Political Propaganda Night

Opera suffered a major blow in the America's capital. Donald Trump ended the fourth evening of the Republican National Convention on the lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., with singer Christopher Macchio attempting to interpret Puccini's well-known "Nessun Dorma" from the portico balcony. Struggling through music that is beyond his faculties, even with a microphone, he followed the aria with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," Schubert's "Ave Maria," Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," and ended with Katharine Lee Bates's "America the Beautiful." The entire spectacle was reminiscent of autocratic regimes in the world that flaunt crowds and wealth as political power. Remember in the context of the opera Turandot, from which the aria derives, the title character has threatened "This night, none shall sleep in Peking! The penalty for all will be death if the Prince's name is not discovered by morning." It's not clear whether the administration knew this in advance or perhaps that is why is was selected. 

According to various biographies, the entertainer attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Macchio came to the attention of Donald Trump after he performed at a New Year's Eve Party thrown at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Read more about his achievements here. "His exploits can be followed online though his website, www.christphermacchio.com, through social media, and experienced on his debut album, DocliMomenti, which showcases a stylistic range that can delicately draw an audience in, and
then build to a virtuoso climax that leaves
goosebumps on the arms and tears in the eyes."

Reviews have been less than favorable of the performance. Watch it here. A professional version of the famous aria can be found after the jump.

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Celebrate The Birthday Of Legendary Grace Bumbry

Today marks the 78th birthday of opera singer Grace Bumbry. See a selection of rare photos after the jump that give a glimpse into her glamorous life and read more extensively about the singer's life by clicking here.

When Joseph Calleja Met The Leader Of The Free World

(Photo: White House)

"Joseph Calleja meeting US President Barack Obama after he performed at the Kennedy Centre Honors last month in tribute to American soprano Martina Arroyo. The tenor is currently appearing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York before moving on to London for a seven-performance run of Faust at the Royal Opera House and a solo concert at the Royal Festival Hall." [Source]

Renée Fleming Joins Aretha Franklin & Janelle Monáe For NCTL

(Photo: Decca/Andrew Eccles)

Watch the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 6 starting at 4:30pm – featuring The Avett Brothers, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Aretha Franklin, Janelle Monáe, Arturo Sandoval, Train and more! For more details, click here. Renée was most recently at the White House to receive the National Medal of Arts from President Obama in July 2013. The soprano has had an ongoing relationship in the political capital since 1999 when she performed for President Bill Clinton during a Christmas celebration. She has also sung regularly for the Kennedy Center Honors and Presidential Inaugurations. [Source] Also on the concert program, for the tree lighting ceremony, will be violinist Joshua Bell. Due to their most recent collaboration, they may very will be performing together. Stay tuned for more details on additional entertainers and what the musical program will include in its entirety.

Renée Fleming Receives National Medal of Arts From President Obama

Seems as though the soprano cracks up the commander-in-chief while receiving her honor. For a complete list of honorees go to the official White House website by clicking here. Look at more pictures of the ceremony and watch the video (Ms. Fleming comes on at 14:09...) after the jump.

Harolyn Blackwell & Denyce Graves in Kennedy Tribute

Blackwell with President Bush (2006)

January 20 marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration. On that day in 1961, the African-American mezzo-soprano Marian Anderson sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." As a tribute to this occasion Harolyn Blackwell will perform on the opening night concert of a three-weeklong series of performances and events commemorating the president. The

Graves & President Obama (2009)

events are taking place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The second opera-related event in the series will be a recital by Denyce Graves on February 1. The mezzo-soprano will sing selections from a 1962 White House program sung by Grace Bumbry who was the first African-American opera singer to perform at the White House. The Kennedy Center Honors awarded Grace Bumbry in 2009 for her exemplary lifetime achievement in the performing arts.
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White House Opera of Christmas Past

(Photo: Wilfredo Lee)

President and Mrs. Clinton join their daughter Chelsea and Denyce Graves as they sing Christmas carols during the 1995 Christmas Pageant, Wednesday, December 6, 1995 on the Ellipse in Washington.