Italy honors Benedicts pontificate with Haydn, Vivaldi, Moz

The President of Italy held a concert in honor of Benedict XVI on the fourth anniversary of his pontificate.

The president thanked the Pope for his efforts on Italys problems, such as his recent visit to the victims of the earthquake, and pointed out that such gestures show his true commitment to peace and justice.

Giorgio Napolitano
Presidente República Italiana
"This is the spirit of the trip he is about to make to the Holy Land: the most eagerly awaited for so many reasons and especially for its contribution to overcome divisions, tensions and the dangers of war that have afflicted the region and that are the source of a serious international instability."

The concert was held at the Paul VI hall and it included a performance by the Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra and the Choir of Milan, conducted by Xian Zhan and Erina Gambarini. Three soloists also participated.

The Pope told the musicians that their skills and enthusiasm gave new life to the musical compositions of Haydn, Vivaldi and Mozart.

He also said that the musical selection was appropriate for the liturgical season of Easter. And he also gave his own interpretation of some of the musical compositions played, like the "Ave Verum Corpus" by Mozart.

Benedict XVI
"Mozart composed this piece shortly before his death, and in it we can say that music truly becomes prayer, an abandonment of the heart to God with a profound sense of peace."

The Pope concluded by thanking the president for the tribute, saying that it was not only beautiful but that it nurtured the spirit of the audience.

DG

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