2011 Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal Recipient

One of the most celebrated musical ambassadors of our time, soprano Renée Fleming continues to grace the world’s greatest opera stages and concert halls, now extending her reach to include other musical forms and media. She also has hosted a wide variety of television and radio broadcasts, including the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series for movie theaters and television. Ms. Fleming has performed at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and at the "We Are One” inaugural celebration for President Obama in 2009. A three-time Grammy winner, Ms. Fleming has recorded a wide range of CDs and DVDs, including Massenet’s complete Thaïs, the jazz album Haunted Heart, and Dark Hope, her performances of songs by artists such as Leonard Cohen, Peter Gabriel, and Arcade Fire. Ms. Fleming’s artistry has inspired prominent artists, such as Francesco Clemente, Chuck Close, and Robert Wilson. Master Chef Daniel Boulud created the dessert "La Diva Renée” in her honor. In 2008, Ms. Fleming launched "La Voce by Renée Fleming,” a fragrance designed for her. Proceeds benefit the Metropolitan Opera. An advocate for literacy, Ms. Fleming has been featured in promotional campaigns for the Association of American Publishers and honored by The New York Public Library as a "Library Lion.” Her book, The Inner Voice, was published by Viking Penguin in 2004. Among her numerous awards are Honorary Membership in the Royal Academy of Music (2003) and the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (2005) from the French government. Ms. Fleming studied at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, at the Eastman School of Music, and at the Juilliard School, where she received an honorary doctorate in 2003. She was a Fulbright fellow in Germany in 1985.