UAE: Pope's 1500 Year Old Choir Performs In A Historic Concert In Abu Dhabi

The choral's history is rooted in the Renaissance era, highlighting the contributions of legendary composers and musicians.

The renowned Sistine Chapel Choir, popularly called the Pope's Choir, performed a historic concert before an expectant audience at the Abrahamic Famly House on Saadiyat island in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, May 30. The legendary Choir has existed for 1500 years and is recognised as the longest-running melody in the world. The Pope's Choir usually performs at papal functions performed in the UAE for the first time. A few choir members walked through the red carpets into the prayer hall of St Francis Church. There was a buzz as hushed voices from different benches whispered, "They are here".

Those seeing the Choir for the first time were visibly surprised to see children in the Pueri Cantores amid the mix of singers. After a brief introduction, the beautiful rendition started with a Gregorian chant,' Victimae paschali laudes.'

Time stood still as the majestic voice of the Choir's young and old members echoed through the church's grand hall. Ministers, high-ranking officials, ambassadors, bishops, nuns and distinguished community members were left in awe as the choral performed classical masterpieces, lulling them into a sense of wonder. The Choir sang compositions by composers like Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Giuseppe Liberto, Lorenzo Perosi, Tomas Luis de Victoria, and Domenico Bartolucci.

The Choir received an ovation from the audience after they performed twelve unique pieces, one after the other. The all-male choir members continued to bow and enjoy the admiration for several minutes. When the audience thought the performance was over, choir director Monsignor Marcos Pavan announced that there was one final performance, the famous 'Tu es Petrus', which followed an even greater response.

The Choir's history was rooted in the Renaissance era, which highlighted the contributions of legendary composers and musicians. Hosted by Abu Dhabi Festival and The Apostolic Nunciature to UAE, the landmark event was a journey into the sacred heritage of the church. "The event reflects the UAE's commitment to values of peace and common coexistence and embodies the principals outlined in the document on Human Fraternity signed on February 4, 2019, with the help of His Holiness Pope Francis and the Eminence the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayed," said Huda Alkhamis Kanoo, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation founder and also the artistic director of Abu Dhabi Festival.

Archbishop El-Kassis highlighted that the concert reflected the close relations between the Holy See and the UAE: "It marks a significant historical milestone in our efforts to consolidate the principles of human fraternity. This musical event is contextualised with the visit of The Holiness Pope Francis to the UAE in February 2019 with global and local significance," he noted.

Monsignor Marcos Pavan termed it a historic moment in the Middle East for the 1500-year-old Sistine Chapel Choir. "This event embodies the UAE's values and peaceful coexistence, promoting diversity and dialogue," he added.

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