On a steamy summer night in Philadelphia's beautiful Fairmount Park, one of opera's greatest performers took to the stage of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts for an electrifying concert of classical, gospel, R&B, and Jazz.

At this sold-out, one-night-only event, Denyce Graves began "breaking the rules" -- leaving behind the opera costumes, wigs and scores for a rocking duet with pop diva Patti LaBelle, wowing the audience with her take of a baritone favorite (Old Man River), and bringing down the house with the sultry sounds of her famous mezzo-soprano voice -- all backed by a powerful chorus and a full orchestra.

This new special Denyce Graves: Breaking the Rules, was recorded in June, 2003 before a live audience, and celebrates the talent, style, versatility and sheer beauty of one of the few opera performers today who have crossed the threshold into becoming a household name. Having been named Peter Jennings' ABC News Person of the Week, with appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, Wayne Brady and a special feature on 60 Minutes, Denyce Graves is at the top of her craft. This new production by WHYY positions PBS to be among the first to showcase this performer's talents beyond the classical music stage.

The program runs close to 90 minutes, and features Ms. Graves performing solos, and also in duets with Patti LaBelle (Love Remembered) & one of opera's newest rising young stars -- Jessica Swink. The duet with Patti LaBelle was especially written for these two unique voices and premieres on this show. The duet with Jessica Swink is one of opera's greatest and most popular tunes -- the Barcaroll from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann.

Another special feature of this pledge program is a rousing rendition of Smile by male A Capella group Take 6, the 2003 Grammy-Award winners. In addition to this popular and well-known crowd pleaser, Take 6 also engages the audience in a participatory rendition of Wade in the Water.

The concert is conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio, who has conducted throughout the world, most recently for Andrea Bocelli & Michael Bolton. He has also conducted major motion picture scores, including that of the movie Batman. Making a guest appearance is Parisian composer Vincent Thomas, who for this show composed and conducted the French torch song Ai me moi especially for Ms. Graves.

Rounding out the evening of jazz, gospel, R&B and classical music is the grand finale -- American Anthem -- which Ms. Graves first sang for the President of the United States at the National Memorial Service in Washington's National Cathederal in the days following September 11, 2001, and again in a nationally-televised concert from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in honor of the one year anniversary of those tragic events. The finale for this show was especially composed for Ms. Graves, Patti LaBelle, Take 6 & Jessica Swink -- all of whom take part in closing out the evening.

Both the companion VHS & DVD have additional bonus material, including an intimate interview with Ms. Graves at her home in Virginia.

Educators can obtain a complimentary DVD or VHS tape of WHYY's Denyce Graves: Breaking The Rules PBS production for classroom instruction by contacting Susan Poglinco, Executive Director of Children's Service/WHYY at: spoglinco@whyy.org. Requested information includes teacher name, grade of instruction, school name and address, and the name of the school's principal.