Pope Benedict XVI: music is a privileged language

Pope Benedict XVI heard a performance of sacred music yesterday evening, given in his honor by the Director emeritus of the Sistine Chapel Choir, Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci. Under the baton of director and conductor Maestro Simon Baiocchi, the concert featured sopranos Enrica Fabbri and Lykke Anholm along with baritone Michele Govi, accompanied by Rossini Chamber Choir of Pesaro and the Marchigiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Speaking to us ahead of the performance, Maestro Baiocchi discussed the selections for the performance: the historic “Baptisma” – the words of the ancient rite of baptism set to music – and a series of three sacred motets including the never-before executed “Ave Maria” extrapolated from the second act of the opera “Il Brunelesco”, which tells the story of Filippo Brunelleschi and the construction of the dome atop the church of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. A particular highlight of the concert was the "Benedictus" composed by Cardinal Bartolucci in honor of Pope Benedict XVI. In his remarks following the concert, Pope Benedict praised the 94 year-old Cardinal Bartoluccci as a man for whom faith and light have always been sure guides during his life, which he has lived making music in the service of the Lord. The Pope went on to say, “Music,” for Cardinal Bartoluci, “is a privileged language for communicating the faith of the Church,” and helping the faithful on their spiritual journey. Listen