Quotes from Renee Fleming

I think singing is one of the most natural things that human beings do, but it's difficult.

I'm American. I'm eclectic. I'm going to follow my musical passions. And if people don't like it, and it hurts my legacy, I'm not going to worry about that.

I learned so many roles so quickly as a young singer, I thought it was time to come back to them and make them better - deeper, more nuanced.

I have not changed with the accomplishments. I've remained the same. If I had changed, great. You know, but I haven't.

I have a certain image that's more classic, and I'm happy to stay out of the fray.

I think touring is hard.

I was constantly being pushed toward a European ideal of what it means to be a classical or opera singer, let's say in the Renata Tebaldi mode. I reject that.

I'm reserved, so I've always needed to find a way of opening up. Jazz helped me do that.

For my own singing, I used to be attracted by the baroque, the flashier the better, but now I prefer a simpler, purer style.

Because everything about the voice interests me, I felt it would be fascinating to learn a completely different style of singing.

Learning operatic roles is ongoing, and I find that I can learn on the train or subway, during a manicure, getting my hair done, and even while driving if I only look at the score at red lights.

Every singer eventually gets around to a Christmas disc.

Very few opera singers in history have been able to cross into popular music.

I would love to do more private concerts.

In a way, being an opera singer is like being a very romantic sixteen-year-old who falls in love with great passion and conviction every month.

At this stage in my career, I don't have to take any big risks. You want to take a calculated risk, not one that leads to people saying 'yes, but there was that one time when she made that big mistake.' It's always a shame when that happens, especially if you've gotten by for decades without anything hugely tragic.

My parents discussed singing every night over the dinner table; I had a tremendous music education.

I listen to archival and historic recordings. I love watching singers. I learned a lot from watching videos.

It is our responsibility to learn how to speak to an audience that is less informed about music, to give it a reason to want to come and see us instead of going to the movies.

A lot of performers don't want to leave the circuit, the European opera house circuit, partly because most singers don't sing many concerts, or at least not while they are in their prime.

I've always been inspired by artists who have shown musical and intellectual curiosity and the courage to take risks.

I don't want to be somebody who stands still and sings pretty. Each song is a world. Each song is a story. I don't achieve nearly what I want.

Opera is really fun.

I want to get out of the major opera houses.