- Title: Soprano Pretty Yende to fulfill dream of singing at Notre Dame re-opening
- Date: 3rd December 2024
- Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (DECEMBER 2, 2024) (REUTERS) YENDE ON CAMERA SCREEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN SOPRANO, PRETTY YENDE SAYING: “This relationship that I have in France ever since I did my debut singing at Opera Bastille, there was absolutely something very, very intimate with the connection that I had with Paris. And so I'm very grateful that my gift allows me this
- Embargoed: 17th December 2024 17:14
- Keywords: Notre-Dame de Paris Paris cathedral religion
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE / MUNICH, GERMANY / UNKNOWN LOCATION
- City: PARIS, FRANCE / MUNICH, GERMANY / UNKNOWN LOCATION
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA009431003122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: For South African opera singer Pretty Yende, the invitation to perform at the re-opening concert of the Notre Dame Cathedral was an “answered prayer”.
The 39-year-old soprano will be among the musical stars in an opening ceremony on Saturday (December 7) evening, along with the likes of Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Heads of state including French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be in the audience.
Yende says she has a special connection with Notre Dame. She was in a Paris apartment nearby, when a fire engulfed the Gothic cathedral in April 15, 2019.
“I could feel the pain…You could see how much important the church is for not only France, Paris, but also anyone who is Christian. And I am a Christian. And so it was something, very like a lump on my throat,” Yende told Reuters in an interview.
As firefighters battled the blaze to save the Notre Dame, people were singing liturgical songs from across the river, standing vigil.
Thousands of expert craftspeople - from wood carpenters and stonemasons, to stained glass window artists and organ builders - worked for the last five years, using age-old methods to restore, repair or replace everything that was destroyed or damaged.
“It's really a big, strong message of faith and resilience and perseverance and the unity of the people that came together in such a short time to have it restored and renewed,” Yende said.
Last Friday (November 29), Macron and some church and Paris officials had a sneak preview of the cathedral, also paying tribute to the artisans involved in its restoration.
Yende, an international star who has performed on the biggest stages across Europe and the U.S., was doing a concert at a theatre on the Champs Elysees, when she brought up the idea of wanting to sing at the cathedral’s re-opening.
“And literally the dream came true,” Yende said.
Yende is no stranger to big events, having been invited to sing at King Charles’ coronation in 2023, and shared the stage with Andrea Bocellli at the closing ceremony of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. She kicked off the 2024 opera season playing Cleopatra in the Frankfurt opera’s Julius Cesar.
Yende, who has never been inside the Notre Dame, said she is “really excited” to see it renewed, perhaps like it was when it was first opened.
“This relationship that I have in France ever since I did my debut singing at Opera Bastille, there was absolutely something very, very intimate with the connection that I had with Paris. And so I'm very grateful that my gift allows me this incredible, precious moments to be part of.
The ceremony on December 7 will be followed by days of special Masses to celebrate the reopening and to thank those who helped save and rebuild the cathedral.
(Production: Ayhan Uyanik, Louisa Off, Michaela Cabrera, Catherine Schenck) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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