The Diane Rehm Show

Renowned soprano Renée Fleming describes how she developed her voice into what has become known as the gold standard of the soprano sound, and used it to become one of the world's most sought-after musical artists.

Music heard during this segment:

CD: "Handel"
“Ritorno, o caro …” from Handel’s "Rodelinda"

CD: "By Request"
“E strano … Ah, fors’e lui … Sempre libera …” from Verdi’s "La Traviata"

CD: "Signatures"
“Dove sono” from Mozart’s "The Marriage of Figaro"

CD: "By Request"
“Silver moon” from Dvorak’s "Rusalka"

CD: "The Beautiful Voice"
“Vocalise” by Rachmaninoff

CD: "Renee Fleming" (self-titled)
“Casta diva” from Bellini’s "Norma"

CD: "Renee Fleming"
“Quando me n’vo …” from Puccini’s "La Boheme"

CD: "Renee Fleming"
“O mio babbino caro …” from Puccini’s "Gianni Schicci"