The producers have been chasing her for ten years. She finally relented, wsa looking for an artistic challenge, the money people backed her because they smell success.

What’s in this for Renée?

Hopefully, tons of dough. Opera singers make a pittance compared to the work they have to put in. And it might be a new venue for her – her voice is great doing these songs. Her hold up – she doesn’t dance.

Will her tour include ’shows’ in ‘alternative venues’?

Perhaps. Peter Gelb she can do it at the Met if she wants. If she goes onstage with Annie Lenox I will die on the spot.

Is she ’saving classical music’?

Didn’t know that was her job. Classical music might be in for a long hibernation so I hope she has other avenues.

Are indies (opera) trying to reach a ‘broader audience’?

Of course – that’s their business. But I think this album will sell mostly to the indie crowd and maybe a number of younger opera fans (by that I mean people in their 60′s like me). GSTQ

– Let’s hope so.

What is this all about?

– Nobody tells Renée what to do. This is a mid-life crisis.

What do the indie songwriters think about this?

– I suspect they’ll be focussed on the publishing revenue. It might pay for a guitar string.

Does it make them feel more ‘legit’?

– You know your work has entered the universal popular consciousness when somebody does something lame with it.

Are indies trying to reach a ‘broader audience’?

– Always, but this isn’t going to help.

What’s in this for Renée?

– A lot of jokes, mostly. She’s probably doing it for honest creative reasons, but we’ll never let her get away with that. It’s just too easy to deride. Reactions will be split into two camps: outrage at “marketing gone mad” and gushing at “classical musician isn’t freak after all”. Either way, she’ll look like a freak.

Is she ’saving classical music’?

– Who from? What for?

Will her tour include ’shows’ in ‘alternative venues’?

– Youbetcha. That’ll be how you know she isn’t doing it for the money.

Should classical music stop trying so hard?

– I’m not sure classical music was invited to this party at all.

Does this signal the end of the alt-classical epoch?

- You mean “will six blogs and absolutely nobody else stop using a useless designation that doesn’t mean anything at all”? I hope so.