This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7389128.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chinese orchestra plays for Pope | Chinese orchestra plays for Pope |
| (2 days later) | |
| The China Philharmonic Orchestra has given a performance of Mozart's Requiem Mass for the Pope inside the Vatican. | The China Philharmonic Orchestra has given a performance of Mozart's Requiem Mass for the Pope inside the Vatican. |
| Analysts believe the landmark concert could be a sign of growing rapprochement between the Roman Catholic Church and China. | Analysts believe the landmark concert could be a sign of growing rapprochement between the Roman Catholic Church and China. |
| Beijing broke diplomatic relations with Rome more than half a century ago and relations have remained strained since. | Beijing broke diplomatic relations with Rome more than half a century ago and relations have remained strained since. |
| The orchestra's conductor, Yu Long, said he hoped the performance would spread a message of peace and love. | The orchestra's conductor, Yu Long, said he hoped the performance would spread a message of peace and love. |
| Pope Benedict XVI, a lover of classical music, listened attentively to the Mozart Requiem seated on a throne in the middle of the vast audience hall, where earlier in the day he had greeted pilgrims. | Pope Benedict XVI, a lover of classical music, listened attentively to the Mozart Requiem seated on a throne in the middle of the vast audience hall, where earlier in the day he had greeted pilgrims. |
| Pope Benedict, a classical music lover, listened to Mozart's 'requiem' | Pope Benedict, a classical music lover, listened to Mozart's 'requiem' |
| Afterwards he thanked the conductor Yu Long, members of the orchestra and the Shanghai opera chorus, and posed for photographs with the soloists. | Afterwards he thanked the conductor Yu Long, members of the orchestra and the Shanghai opera chorus, and posed for photographs with the soloists. |
| He also praised the cultural values of the Chinese people and wished Beijing success in holding the Olympic Games, which he said had great value for all of humanity. | He also praised the cultural values of the Chinese people and wished Beijing success in holding the Olympic Games, which he said had great value for all of humanity. |
| It remains to be seen how this hastily arranged concert performance will affect future relations between the Vatican and China. | It remains to be seen how this hastily arranged concert performance will affect future relations between the Vatican and China. |
| But both sides emphasised the importance of building bridges after years of tension. | But both sides emphasised the importance of building bridges after years of tension. |