Chinese Perform Mozart for Pope Benedict XVI

On a day when Chinese musicians performed a work of Mozart at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said that music expresses universal human sentiments. The Pope attended a concert in his honour on Wednesday wherein the Philharmonic Orchestra of China and the Choir of the Shanghai Opera House interpreted Mozart's Requiem. "Another high-quality musical performance sees us gathered once again in the Paul VI audience hall. For me and for all of us here, it takes on a particular value and meaning," the Holy Father said. "It puts us in touch, as it were, with the living reality of the world of China.” He thanked the choir and orchestra for this generous tribute and congratulated the organizers and the artists for their skilful, refined and elegant performance of a musical work. "In a group of such accomplished artists, we see represented the great cultural and musical tradition of China, and this performance helps us to understand better the history of the Chinese people,” said the Pontiff. The Holy Father emphasized that the interpretation of Mozart by Chinese artists brought together their own musical talent and Western music. The Requiem came into being through faith as a prayer to God, the just and merciful judge, and that is why it touches the hearts of all people, as an expression of humanity’s universal aspirations, Pope Benedict said. Talking about the setting in the Paul VI Hall the Pope said, it is like a window opening onto the world, a place where people from all over the world often meet. The Holy Father concluded by thanking them for the most welcome tribute, and extended his greetings, through the Orchestra to all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games, an event of great importance for the entire human family. And he ended, saying in Chinese, "I thank you all and I offer you my best wishes." In his response Maestro Yu said that the Chinese people have taken the building of a peaceful and harmonious society as their common goal. They live in rich cultural and spiritual diversity. Music, he felt, can serve as a powerful instrument to deepen cultural understanding among people and cultures.