Soprano Renée Fleming delivered a riveting performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" with help from a military chorus before kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII.
The opera rendition of the national anthem from Fleming, a 4-time Grammy winner, is uncommon for Super Bowl lead-ups because the role is traditionally reserved for a pop star.
"I never heard it sung any better," a Fox Sports announcer said after her performance.
The @FoxSports Twitter account followed that up with this tweet:
.@reneesmusings incredible job! What a big performance to start the game. #SB48— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 2, 2014
Thanks everyone for all the supportive Tweets!— Renee Fleming (@reneesmusings) February 2, 2014
Fleming followed Queen Latifah, who sang "America The Beautiful":
America the Beautiful was.. BEAUTIFUL!! Brava to @QueenLatifah, a tough act to follow at the #SuperBowl-— Renee Fleming (@reneesmusings) February 3, 2014
Last year, Alicia Keys played piano while singing the national anthem, which some Twitter users criticized for running long. Keys was the first artist to use a piano during a Super Bowl national anthem performance since Billy Joel in 2007.
Kelly Clarkson sang the song in 2012, a year after Christina Aguilera flubbed the song's lyrics at the previous Super Bowl (watch below). Other past performers include Whitney Houston, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Neil Diamond, Diana Ross, Jewel, Harry Connick Jr., the Dixie Chicks and Cher.
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