DreamWorks Animation SKG today announced that acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming has performed the original song "Still Dream" on the soundtrack for the upcoming movie Rise of the Guardians, which also features a score by Four-Time Academy Award nominated and Grammy Award-winning composer Alexandre Desplat. Varèse Sarabande will release the soundtrack on November 13, preceding the film's nationwide release on November 21, 2012.
The original, end-credit song "Still Dream" was written and produced by Desplat, with lyrics by Rise of the Guardians screenwriter, Grammy Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, David Lindsay-Abaire. The complete score, recorded at the historic Abbey Road in London and Air Studios, was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and features choral work by London Voices. To create the music and lyrics for the original song, Desplat and Lindsay-Abaire drew upon the film's heroic and sweeping story as inspiration.
"There is much more music in Rise of the Guardians than is found in the average live-action film," says Desplat, who conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in the recording of his original compositions. "The goal with the score was to emphasize every moment of joy, sadness and soul so that audiences would be able to dive with the characters into their worlds. The main theme—conveying all the wonder of children's dreams and their beliefs became the melody on which I wrote the song."
"This is a truly beautiful film and I am honored to perform 'Still Dream,' which serves as the perfect finale for Alexandre's incredible film score," says Renée Fleming.
One of the most beloved and celebrated musical ambassadors of our time, soprano Renée Fleming captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage presence. Known as "the people's diva" and named 2012 Female Singer of the Year by the German Echo awards, she continues to grace the world's greatest opera stages and concert halls, now extending her reach to include other musical forms and media. Ms. Fleming is a three-time Grammy Award Winner. Last June, in an historic first, she sang on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Four-time Academy Award nominee Alexandre Desplat is one of the most coveted film composers in the world today, noted for his creative collaborations with some of the world's top filmmakers. Desplat has scored a wide range of acclaimed films and received Oscar nominations for his music in The King's Speech, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and The Queen. Desplat received the Golden Globe for his original score for The Painted Veil and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, winning one for The King's Speech.
David Lindsay-Abaire is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist and librettist. His most recent play, Good People, premiered on Broadway last season, and was awarded the 2011 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, The Horton Foote Prize, The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, and two Tony nominations. His previous play, Rabbit Hole, received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David was nominated for a Grammy Award and two Tonys for his work on Shrek The Musical for Best Score, and Best Book of a Musical. In addition to his work in theatre, David's screen credits include his film adaptation of Rabbit Hole, as well as the upcoming feature Rise of the Guardians.
Rise of the Guardians is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes—each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world. The film stars Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine and Hugh Jackman.