Jamie Barton to Sing National Anthem for Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Celebrated in The New York Times as "a leader of a new generation of opera stars," mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton will share her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" for the star-studded 41st Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks. The largest fireworks celebration in the country, the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will light up the New York City skyline for three million live spectators and will be televised across the nation on NBC beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

"It is an incredible honor and privilege to sing our national anthem for the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks," Barton said. "I'm proud to be part of an inclusive celebration that unifies people - and music! - from many walks of life."

Barton, who recently released her debut solo album All Who Wander, delighted fans in cinemas around the world this season as Jezibaba in a new Live in HD production of Rusalka at the Metropolitan Opera. Her upcoming engagements include a recital with Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax at Tanglewood, a return to her signature role of Adalgisa in Bellini's Norma in New York and Houston, a full Wagner Ring cycle in San Francisco, and a recital with pianist Kathleen Kelly at Carnegie Hall.

This year, the Metropolitan Opera named Barton the winner of the Beverly Sills Artist Award, one of several honors that have announced her arrival as one of the most exciting talents on the opera stage today. Barton, who launched her career as a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, also holds the Richard Tucker Award, the Cardiff Singer of the World Main Prize and Song Prize, and the Marian Anderson Award, as well as a Grammy nomination and an International Opera Award in the Young Singer category.

The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will include more than 60,000 pyrotechnic effects in a 25-minute display synced to a patriotic score performed by the West Point Band and the West Point Glee Club. Heather Headley, a Tony Award winner for Broadway's Aida, will sing a new rendition of the Elvis Presley hit "If I Can Dream," and Nashville recording artist Craig Campbell will perform country ballad "American Anthem."

ABOUT JAMIE BARTON Recently honored with the 2017 Beverly Sills Artist Award, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton is also winner of the 2015 Richard Tucker Award, both Main and Song Prizes at the 2013 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, and the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. In the 2017/18 season, Ms. Barton debuts at Teatro Real Madrid as Leonor in La favorite and returns to many of America's most-loved opera houses, as Adalgisa (Norma) at the Metropolitan Opera and Houston Grand Opera, Eboli (Don Carlo) at Washington National Opera, and Fricka, Waltraute, and 2nd Norn in San Francisco Opera's Ring cycle. She debuts with the orchestras of Philadelphia, London, and Oulu, returns to her hometown orchestra in Atlanta, and embarks on a recital tour with pianist Kathleen Kelly, including the world premiere of Iain Bell's Of You, commissioned by Carnegie Hall. Winner of an International Opera Award and Marian Anderson Award in 2014, Ms. Barton recently released her debut solo album, All Who Wander, featuring songs by Mahler, Dvorak, and Sibelius.

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