Renée Fleming and Béla Fleck have announced the imminent release of their new collaborative album, The Fiddle and the Drum, which marries odes to Appalachian bluegrass and folk tendencies, due May 29 via Thirty Tigers. With the arrival of the first single, “In The Pines,” featuring Dolly Parton, the set delves into America’s rich musical heritage, encompassing mountain songs, stirring ballads, and folk hymns, while evoking a throughline from Fleming’s soprano vocals to Fleck’s virtuoso banjo skills. 

As the initial preview from the impending 10-track album, the duo shared their collaboration with Dolly Parton, offering a semblance of American melody locked into Appalachian borders, circa the 1870s. “It was a dream to have the incomparable Dolly Parton sing on the album,” says Fleming. “I have always loved her pristine sound, and her iconic status is no accident—her artistry and goodness come through in every beautiful note. It’s the same spirit that drives her constant, creative philanthropy.” 

Fleck adds, “Pure music, heart, generosity, and authenticity—all in the same remarkable person.”

Parton extends her own comment, “I was so happy to join the wonderful, talented Renée Fleming on a version of ‘In The Pines.’ I grew up singing that song in the Smoky Mountains, then I sang it with my family on my TV show back in the ’70s, and then years later I released it on my Heartsongs album. I love that I get to do it again, this time as a duet with Renée Fleming.”

The Fiddle and the Drum comes two decades after Fleming and Fleck first discussed marrying their skillsets on an American folk record. Considering both parties’ busy schedules, Fleming’s career as a globally recognized opera singer, and Fleck’s status as one of the best banjo players in the business, the first steps to actualizing the project only happened in 2023. 

Recorded in Nashville, the impending release features a world-class roster of contributors and bluegrass greats, such as Vince Gill, Jerry Douglas, Aoife O’Donovan, Sierra Hull, and Sarah Jarosz. Following the May arrival of The Fiddle and the Drum, Fleming and Fleck set out on a five-stop tour, opening on May 16 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on May 16. 

The duo will bring their live sound to Charleston, S.C’s  Spoleto Festival on May 23, followed by a slot at Telluride Bluegrass Festival on June 19. They’ll reside at Chautauqua Institution for three nights, August 20-22. The final live performance in support of the album will be on Dec. 3 at New York’s Carnegie Hall. 

For more information and tickets, visit reneefleming.com. 

Pre-order/save The Fiddle and the Drum. 

Hear “In The Pines,” below.

The Fiddle and the Drum Tracklisting

1. He’s Gone Away / Storms Are on the Ocean

2. In The Pines (feat. Dolly Parton)

3. The Fiddle and the Drum (feat. Jerry Douglas)

4. My Epitaph 

5. The Scarlet Tide (feat. Vince Gill)

6. The Cuckoo (feat. Jerry Douglas)

7. Blackest Crow (feat. Aoife O’Donovan)

8. Scarlet Ribbons 

9. he’s gone away (reprise)

10. Pretty Bird (feat. Sierra Hull & Sarah Jarosz)