This opera singer absolutely nailed the national anthem at Super Bowl XLVIII

By Chris Chase, USA TODAY

Renée Fleming’s rendition was gorgeous.

An opera singer performed the national anthem at a Super Bowl for the first time ever this year. After Renee Fleming’s gorgeous rendition brought down the house at MetLife Stadium, we hope it’s not the last time.

Between the soprano’s operatic vocals and the goosebump-inducing performance from trumpet player Jesse McGuire before the NFC divisional playoff game in Charlotte, let’s make a rule that playoff anthems only be performed by classically-trained musicians. And, no, American Idol doesn’t count as classic training.

Fleming’s rendition came in at a brisk two minutes, three seconds, even with the mass flyover by military aircraft. That was below the Las Vegas over/under for length, which was set at 2:23.