ANCONA, Italy, APRIL 28, 2003 (Zenit.org).- World-renowned tenor Placido Domingo was scheduled to sing the “Song of Peace,” a tune with lyrics composed by John Paul II.
The song reproduces the Pope’s invocation at Assisi in January 2002, during the Day of Prayer for Peace.
The “Song of Peace” was to be performed late today in Ancona’s Theater of the Muses, by a choir and orchestra under the direction of maestro Marco Tutino. Tutino composed the music.
“We all want peace,” Domingo said in an interview on Vatican Radio. “It must be said that when war breaks out, we should think of the victims, who must be respected, both those of one side, as well as of the other.”
Regarding the work carried out by John Paul II, Domingo said: “This Pope is one of the most important personalities in the history of the papacy and of religion.”
He is “a man of infinite goodness,” who “has understood many problems, in particular, how far the Church can reach today,” Domingo said.
“I think he is one of the strongest personalities that I have had the possibility to know and appreciate. Therefore, to sing one of his texts gives me great joy and emotion,” the tenor added.
Domingo has sung for the Pope on two occasions — in New York and Mexico — and also met him in a private family audience in the Vatican.
The tenor said the happiest memory of these meetings is “his blessing, which is the most important.”
