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HUMOR: Renée Fleming and the Ninjas

by Basil Considine -

Renée Fleming in an undated file photo by Andrew Eccles/DECCA.

An example of the shuriken issued to specially trained Lead Ushers at the Ordway. Lead Users practice six hours per day to disable cell phones and unauthorized cameras at a distance, mid-concert, with minimal disruption to patrons' concert experience.
An example of the shuriken issued to specially trained Lead Ushers at the Ordway. Lead Ushers practice six hours per day to disable cell phones and unauthorized cameras at a distance, mid-concert, with minimal disruption to patrons’ concert experience.

Following yesterday’s article about Renée Fleming’s sold-out Schubert Club concert, our staff have collected a series of photographs of past performances and publicity appearances by Ms. Fleming. These photos document the sometimes extensive lengths to which fans of Ms. Fleming will go to hear her beguiling soprano voice live in sparkling acoustics, dazzling theatres, and glamorous destinations.

Would-be concert infiltrators are advised that ushers at the Ordway have been trained in parkour, spotting concert infiltrators, unarmed combat, and disabling cell phones and cameras from a distance with carefully thrown shuriken.

No seats at the October 5 concert were available as of press time. However, tickets were reportedly selling fast for an afternoon master class for singers taught by Ms. Fleming at the MacPhail Center for Music on October 6.

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The Twin Cities Arts Reader advises all concertgoers to abide by local laws, venue rules, and usher instructions when attending performances. Covert infiltrations are not recommended and in-concert photography and cell phone use is strictly discouraged.

A concert infiltrator (Tonbei Thémist) hides under the piano during a London concert given by Ms. Fleming and Mr. Höll. Mr. Thémist, a notorious concert crasher, was pursued by security during intermission but successfully escaped into the fly system and was later reported watching the concert from the theatre's central chandelier. Photo by Amy T. Zielinski/Redferns.
A concert infiltrator (Tonbei Thémist) hides under the piano during a London concert given by Ms. Fleming and Mr. Höll. Mr. Thémist, a notorious concert crasher, was pursued by security during intermission but successfully escaped into the fly system and was later reported watching the concert from the theatre’s central chandelier. Photo by Amy T. Zielinski/Redferns.

 

An unidentified Fleming fan (right, above piano) emerges from concealment to throw a bouquet of flowers to Ms. Fleming as she returns to the stage for a standing ovation. Read the review.
A separate, unidentified Fleming fan (right, above piano) emerges from concealment to throw a bouquet of flowers to Ms. Fleming as she returns to the stage for a standing ovation before the first encore. Read the review.

 

A well-concealed fan (right)'s subtle photobombing is revealed by the flash in this publicity photograph. Photo by Andrew Eccles/DECCA Records.
A well-concealed fan (right)’s subtle photobombing is revealed by the flash in this publicity photograph. Photo by Andrew Eccles/DECCA Records.
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