Renée Fleming, one of the best-loved and versatile sopranos of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, has been described as "the people's diva," and perhaps comes closer than any other singer of her time to being an old-fashioned operatic superstar. Her wise repertoire decisions have allowed her to embrace a wide variety of works throughout her career, including Baroque opera, Mozart, the Italian bel canto repertoire, Verdi, Massenet, Puccini, Richard Strauss, a number of contemporary operas, and songs from all eras. Her voice is notable for its fullness, warmth, its creamy tone quality, and her ability to spin out long velvety legato lines. She is known for the intensity and integrity of her dramatic portrayals and her engaging stage presence.
Fleming's parents were high school vocal music teachers. In 1981, she graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam with a degree in music education and continued her musical studies at the Eastman School of Music, which she credits with giving her a strong academic and theoretical background. From 1983 to 1987, she was enrolled in the American Opera Center at Juilliard, where she met Beverley Johnston, the voice teacher with whom she would continue to study throughout her career. Fleming also recalls with admiration the year she spent studying lieder with Arleen Augér, on a Fulbright Scholarship. In 1988, she won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the George London Prize (in the same week), and the Eleanor McCollum Competition in Houston.
Fleming sang the Countess in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro at the Houston Grand Opera in 1988, made her New York City Opera debut in 1989 as Mimi in La bohème, and her Covent Garden debut as Glauce in Cherubini's Medea later that year. In 1991, she made her acclaimed Met debut, stepping in for an indisposed Felicity Lott as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro. The Countess was her debut role in San Francisco (1991), Vienna State Opera (1993), and Glyndebourne (1994). In 1993, she made her debut at La Scala as Donna Elvira, and she sang Eva at the 1996 Bayreuth Festival. Since that time, she has continued performances at the world's leading opera houses and concert halls and has continued to expand her repertoire. Among the roles for which she has won acclaim are Handel's Alcina and Rodelinda; Rossini's Armida, Violetta, Manon, Thaïs, Tatyana, and Rusalka; and numerous roles in Strauss operas, including the Marschallin, Daphne, Arabella, and the Countess in Capriccio. She created the role of Rosina in Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles in 1991, Madame Tourvel in Conrad Susa's Dangerous Liaisons in 1994, and Blanche DuBois in André Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire in 1998.
She has garnered praise for her many recordings, both on CD and DVD, and has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards and has won three, in 1996, 1999, and 2010. In addition to her work in the classical repertoire, Fleming has recorded contemporary pop songs, jazz, and film soundtracks. She has hosted a number of television and radio broadcasts, including The Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series, and Live from Lincoln Center for PBS. Her honors include Sweden’s Polar Prize (2008), the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur from the French government (2005), Honorary Membership in the Royal Academy of Music (2003), and a 2003 Honorary Doctorate from the Juilliard School.
Stepping Stone
Renée Fleming Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stopped in my tracks again
Closer then I've been to where I want to be
A broken heart standing in my way
Big as life on a real bad day
Making lemons into lemonade
Ain't nothing new to me No
It's just a stepping stone
I'm gonna climb right up on top
And take a good look at where I'm going
And it ain't gonna slow me down
Hold me back or turn me around (Stepping Stone)
This ain't no stumbling block (Stepping Stone)
It ain't no stumbling block (Stepping Stone)
This ain't no stumbling block
It's just a stepping stone
Now looking back I realize
How hard it is to recognize
Opportunity in disguise
That's some Clamady
So I ain't gonna cuss my luck
Every time a door slams shut
I know a window's gonna open up
Just as long as I believe
This ain't no stumbling block
It's just a stepping stone
I'm gonna climb right up on top
And take a good look at where I'm going
And it ain't gonna slow me down
Hold me back or turn me around (Stepping Stone)
This ain't no stumbling block (Stepping Stone)
It ain't no stumbling block (Stepping Stone)
This ain't no stumbling block
It's just a stepping stone
Stepping Stone.. Ohhh
This ain't no stumbling block
It's just a stepping stone
I'm gonna climb right up on top
And take a good look at where I'm going
And it ain't gonna slow me down
Hold me back or turn me around (Stepping Stone)
This ain't no stumbling block (Stepping Stone)
It's just a stepping
This ain't no stumbling block
It's just a stepping stone
I'm gonna climb right up on top
And take a good look at where I'm going
And it ain't gonna slow me down
Hold me back or turn me around (Stepping Stone)
This ain't no stumbling block
This ain't no stumbling block
This ain't no stumbling block
It's just a stepping, stepping stone
Stepping Stone
"Stepping Stone" by Renée Fleming is an uplifting and empowering song about overcoming obstacles in life. The lyrics talk about finding oneself at a dead-end and being stopped in one's tracks by a broken heart, but instead of seeing it as a stumbling block, the singer sees it as a stepping stone towards where she wants to be. She doesn't curse her luck but rather recognizes the opportunity in disguise and believes that a window will open up every time a door closes. The chorus repeats that "this ain't no stumbling block, it's just a stepping stone," emphasizing the idea that every obstacle can be overcome and turned into a positive thing.
The song has a motivational tone and encourages listeners to have a positive attitude towards challenges in their lives. By seeing them as stepping stones rather than obstacles that will slow them down, people can move forward and achieve their goals. The lyrics also suggest that it is important to believe in oneself and have faith that things will work out in the end.
The melody and instrumentation of the song add to its uplifting tone, with a string section and piano creating a grand and emotional sound. The vocals are powerful and emotive, fitting the empowering message of the lyrics. Overall, "Stepping Stone" is a song that can inspire listeners to persevere through tough times and have a positive outlook on life.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am at another dead end
I am at a point where I feel like I have no options
Stopped in my tracks again
I feel stuck and unsure of what to do
Closer then I've been to where I want to be
Despite feeling stuck, I know I'm making progress
A broken heart standing in my way
I am experiencing heartbreak that makes everything feel harder
Big as life on a real bad day
My heartbreak feels all-consuming and impossible to ignore
Making lemons into lemonade
I am actively turning a bad situation into something positive
Ain't nothing new to me No
I've been through this before, I know I can handle it
Now looking back I realize
Reflecting on past experiences has given me insight
How hard it is to recognize
It can be difficult to see opportunity when it's disguised as something else
Opportunity in disguise
There are hidden opportunities in every situation
That's some Clamady
This is just the way life is
So I ain't gonna cuss my luck
I won't complain about my bad luck
Every time a door slams shut
Whenever a situation doesn't work out
I know a window's gonna open up
I know that a new opportunity will present itself
Just as long as I believe
Believing in myself and my future is key
This ain't no stumbling block
This obstacle is just a minor setback
It's just a stepping stone
I can use this obstacle as a way to move forward
I'm gonna climb right up on top
I will overcome this obstacle
And take a good look at where I'm going
I will gain perspective on my future goals
And it ain't gonna slow me down
This obstacle won't hold me back
Hold me back or turn me around
I won't let anything stop me
Stepping Stone.. Ohhh
I am using this obstacle as a stepping stone to success
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE BOOKER, AIMEE DUFFY, AIMEE ANN DUFFY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charlie Fraser-Fleming
Excellent just love the lady❤️
Ima Brand
Duffy has more timbre and power and modulates in/out of lighter and richer timbre in a way that brings out raw emotion.
Even though I love the song, I think it is overly ambitious to take on artists with a stronger lower register. Maybe the problem is that she isn't gonna learn how to belt like the pros, and thus had to rely on doing versions of lower-lying songs and show off modulation and an indie-style. But then again, why do a cover album with pop songs? She is a soprano, she should've done songs that are sung by sopranos and mezzos. "I still believe" by Brenda K Starr, covered by Mariah Carey, anything from Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Beyonce, etc.
Xavier R.
Best Duffy voice ????A contraalto soprano opera singer?Control voice and arranges...