The Column: Renée Fleming's National Anthem at Superbowl XLVIII...What Controversy?

What's the fuss all about? The U.S. morning news bulletins are full of the news that, shock, horror, "Opera singer to sing national anthem at Superbowl." And? And yet the news teams (news!) are earnestly discussing the rights and wrongs of the decision to invite Renée Fleming to this august occasion, reading out (mostly hostile) tweets and reassuring viewers that, yes, she is actually pretty darn good.

Are we not past all this? Did The Three Tenors not lend glamor, beauty and excitement to the Los Angeles Olympics and the Soccer World Cup? In the U.K., we are well used to the mixing of classical musicians and sports events--a blend that helps to popularize the former and aggrandizes the later.

Win win.

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James Inverne, The Column, Renée Fleming, Super Bowl, National Anthem
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