This is in from CNS:
Chinese orchestra to perform Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ for pope
By Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — China’s Philharmonic Orchestra was set to perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s "Requiem" in the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI, reported Vatican Radio.
Currently on tour throughout Europe, the orchestra was offering the May 7 evening concert in the Paul VI hall "in honor" of the pope, who is an aficionado of Mozart and classical music.
Vatican Radio reported April 29 that the Shanghai Opera House Chorus was also scheduled to perform along with the Beijing-based, state-run orchestra. [Therefore a Communist Party based band is playing Mozart for the Holy Father.]
Vatican Radio said this "important concert in the Vatican" would show that "music is a language and precious means of dialogue between peoples and cultures."
Directed by Long Yu, the orchestra was founded in 2000 and has played numerous concerts around the world.
The orchestra played Mozart’s "Requiem" for the first time in 2006 in a Catholic church in Beijing to mark the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth.
Whaddya wanna bet they’re good?
I want them for the music for the next papal Mass in Washington!
