Homage: The Age of the Diva ~ Renee Fleming
American soprano RenÃ©e Fleming continues to thrill audiences  with a voice described as the "gold standard of soprano sound," a  meticulous and dazzling gift for characterization, and a rare stylistic  versatility. Her superb artistry has inspired her instatement as a  Chevalier de la LÃ©gion d'Honneur by the French government (2005), as well  as the "RenÃ©e Fleming Iris" (2004) and master chef Daniel Boulud's dessert  "La Diva RenÃ©e" (1999).A two-time Grammy winner, Ms. Fleming has been an exclusive recording  artist with Decca since 1995. Her newest CD, comprising rarely-heard works  associated with great singers of the past, releases in Fall 2006. The most  recent of her numerous recordings include the Grammy-nominated CD of  Strauss' Daphne conducted by Semyon Bychkov (2005), "Sacred Songs" (2005),  the jazz recording "Haunted Heart" (2005), "RenÃ©e Fleming: Handel" (2004),  and the movie soundtrack to "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"  (2003). Her work has earned nine Grammy nominations as well as the  Classical Brits Awards in 2004 for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and  in 2003 for Female Artist of the Year. That same year, she received  Honorary Membership in the Royal Academy of Music and an honorary doctorate  from The Juilliard School (where she was also commencement speaker). Ms.  Fleming's most recent film appearances are in Phil Grabsky's 2006  documentary, "In Search of Mozart," celebrating the 250th anniversary of  the composer's birth, and in the 2006-07 release of the major motion  picture, "Margaret."An advocate for literacy and an avid reader, RenÃ©e Fleming has been  featured in promotional campaigns for the Association of American  Publishers (Get Caught Reading), and the Magazine Publishers of America's  READ poster campaign for the American Library Association. She was honored  by The New York Public Library as a "Library Lion." Her book, "The Inner  Voice," was published by Viking Penguin in 2004, and released in paperback  by Penguin the following year. An intimate account of her career and  creative process, the book is also published in France by Fayard Editions,  in the United Kingdom by Virgin Books, by Henschel Verlag in Germany, and  Shunjusha in Japan.Among her earlier awards are the Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des  Lettres from the French government (2002); the 2000 Gift of Music Award  from the Orchestra of St. Luke's, honoring individuals who have made a  significant contribution to the world of classical music; and the first  Solti Prize of l'AcadÃ©mie du Disque Lyrique for her outstanding recording  artistry (1996). A passionate champion of creativity in the arts, Ms.  Fleming is both a proponent of new music - having had many works written  for her - and an advocate for the revival of overlooked masterpieces. She  is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Hall Corporation  and of the Advisory Board of the White Nights Foundation of America.In addition to her work on the stage and in recordings, RenÃ©e Fleming has  represented Rolex timepieces in print advertising since 2001, and has  served as the inspiration for the main character in novelist Ann Patchett's  best-selling book, Bel Canto (2002). In 2005, her prominence led to honors  from the Lotos Club, Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania, and in the  cover story of Smithsonian Magazine's special anniversary issue,  spotlighting "35 Who Made a Difference." In 2001, she was added Mr.  Blackwell's best dressed list, and People magazine named her one of its "25  Most Intriguing People of 2000." Couturier Gianfranco FerrÃ© has designed  Ms. Fleming's stage gowns since 1998, and Issey Miyake, Vivienne Westwood,  Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta have created gowns for her as well.RenÃ©e Fleming studied at The Juilliard School and holds degrees from the  State University of New York at Potsdam and the Eastman School of Music. In  early years, she was a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany. A  winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, she was also the  recipient of a Richard Tucker Award, George London Prize, and the Grand  Prix at the International Singing Competition in Belgium.