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Renee Fleming: A Salute to Divas Past Today's leading diva, Renee Fleming, pays homage to divas of an earlier era. Fleming talks about the sopranos who have inspired her, and explains some of the secrets that made them so incredible.

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Renee Fleming: A Salute to Divas Past

Renee Fleming: A Salute to Divas Past

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Fleming Sings

From her CD 'Homage: The Age of the Diva'

Korngold: 'Ich ging zu ihm' (from Das Wunder der Heliane)

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Soprano Renee Fleming is a big fan of several sopranos from the early 20th century. She marvels at their breath control, their phrasing and tone. She even made a special trip to Milan, Italy to pay a visit to the legendary Magda Olivero, now in her late 90s. On her newest CD she pays homage to these great singers (Rosa Ponselle, Lotte Lehmann, Emmy Destinn, Maria Jeritza) by singing the repertoire that made them famous.

On her latest CD, soprano Renee Fleming pays homage to divas from the past who have inspired her. courtesy Universal Classics hide caption

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courtesy Universal Classics

But there's no mistaking Fleming herself for any other soprano. She joins Performance Today host Fred Child to listen to some scratchy old recodings and discuss the art of the diva.

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