New York’s Renée Fleming To Sing At Senator John McCain’s Funeral

Renée Fleming during National Memorial Day Concert rehearsals on May 28, 2016 in Washington, D.C. CREDIT PAUL MORIGI/GETTY IMAGES FOR CAPITOL CONCERTS

ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – More details are emerging about upcoming funeral services for the late U.S. Senator John McCain.  Before he died from brain cancer last weekend, he requested that opera singer Renée Fleming perform the Irish standard “Danny Boy” at his memorial service. She has agreed.

“She is very honored,” her manager, Dannielle Thomas, told the Democrat and Chronicle. “It’s going to be a beautiful service.”

A Grammy winner and Tony nominee, Fleming grew up in Churchville, NY and attended the Eastman School of Music.  She will sing at the memorial service for Senator McCain at the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday.

In this 2013 video, she explains a personal connection to the song “Danny Boy.”