American soprano Renee Fleming

American soprano Renee Fleming is a four-time Grammy award winner, known in the US as the "people's diva". She was the first opera singer to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl, and sang at President Barack Obama's first inauguration. She also performed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012. In 2013, she was presented with the National Medal of Arts, America's highest honour for individual artists, by President Obama. Although best known for her compelling performances as some of opera's greatest heroines, including Desdemona in Verdi's Otello, Fleming is also at home with other musical genres. Her diverse career has included singing a duet of 'Perfect Day' with rock star Lou Reed and making a guest appearance on Sesame Street to teach children how to read. In 2010 she released an album of indie-rock and pop covers called Dark Hope, including songs by Muse and Leonard Cohen. Renee Fleming is coming to New Zealand next month for a one-off concert with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra