Vatican City, Apr 25, 2008 / 08:08 am
This week the Italians took their turn at showing their affection and respect for the Pope by hosting a classical music concert in honor of his third anniversary and birthday. Benedict XVI thanked the choir and the orchestra for sharing the gift of music with people. Music, he said, has a spiritual value because it can “infuse hope into the human soul.”
The concert was offered by the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, who met with the Pope for 15 minutes beforehand. The meeting was characterized by the Vatican as one of “great cordiality” and included a discussion of the Holy Father’s recent U.N. address. Following their conversation, the heads of state proceeded to the Paul VI Hall to attend the performance.
The concert featured pieces by Luciano Berio, Johannes Brahms and Ludwig van Beethoven and was performed by the Giuseppe Verdi symphony orchestra and choir of Milan.
Pope Benedict followed the concert from the central aisle of the hall alongside President Napolitano and his elder brother Msgr. Georg Ratzinger. Both Ratzinger brothers are avid classical music fans and musicians themselves.