New York ( CNN ) -- Renée Fleming 's new album `` Dark Hope '' has found the light , having earned the operatic soprano a spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart for the first time . While debuting at No . 151 might not put her up there with Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga , a place on the pop charts is a feat for any artist whose album success has mostly been measured on the classical chart ( which Fleming has topped five times ) . The new territory could be attributed to Fleming 's radical departure from diva to rocker . On the album she trades velvet gowns and soaring arias for freshly cut bangs and covers of songs like indie-rock band Muse 's `` Endlessly '' and Death Cab for Cutie 's `` Soul Meets Body . '' And why not ? `` I 've devoted my life to classical music , '' says Fleming , 51 . `` It 's my passion in life and where I 've put all of my effort for decades . But I 've always listened to other things and enjoyed other things . '' With the exception of Peter Gabriel 's `` In Your Eyes '' and Leonard Cohen 's `` Hallelujah , '' Fleming was n't familiar with any of the songs she interprets on `` Dark Hope '' ( Decca ) . They were introduced to her by Metallica and the Red Hot Chili Peppers managers Cliff Burnstein and Peter Mensch . After listening to the compilation of indie and pop songs they felt would suit her rich , lower register , Fleming was intrigued . `` I was absolutely delighted to see how much talent exists in this world . [ The music is ] so quirky and eccentric and edgy and sophisticated . Then there 's the spirit of it : the passion , the anger , the sense of social consciousness . '' And while eyebrows have risen over one of America 's most beloved sopranos stepping into rock ' n ' roll turf , Fleming points out that cross-genre admiration is a two-way street : Muse frontman Matt Belamy recently attended one of Fleming 's performances in Rossini 's `` Armida '' at The Metropolitan Opera in New York . Rock image aside , recording `` Dark Hope '' was a family affair for Fleming . Her teenage daughters , who were at first appalled to learn their mother was going to take on the likes of Arcade Fire and Duffy ( `` They said ... 'Mom , there 's no way ! ' `` ) warmed to the project when Fleming invited them to sing backup on some of the songs . Fleming 's sister Rachelle also joined in . In fact you can see the whole family in the `` Endlessly '' music video . `` We had a wonderful time together , '' says Fleming . `` It was so great . They have great taste -- eclectic taste -- in music . ''
Renée Fleming 's new album `` Dark Hope '' debuted at No . 151 . Fleming covers indie-rock band Muse 's `` Endlessly '' on the album . This is a departure for Fleming , who says she devoted her life to classical music .