Aretha Franklin to perform with Condoleezza Rice
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Condoleezza Rice is ~t one stranger to the whims of royalty. So when the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, unmistakable the two should get together to play a song or two for charity, it was decreed.
The former U.S. secretary of set forth and Franklin take the stage Tuesday evening at Philadelphia's Mann Music Center in a inimitable duet for Rice, the classically trained pianist, and Franklin, the divalicious sound of a generation. Their aim is to raise money for urban children and awareness on account of music and the arts.
"It is a joint effort for the internal-city youth of Philadelphia and Detroit," Franklin told The Associated Press the death before their concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Their appearance will bank not only with Franklin's catalog of hits, but arias from the globe of opera and classical music.
"We decided to give it a try," Franklin uttered. "So here we are, in the city of Brotherly — and Sisterly — Love."
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Rice, better known as a diplomat and general security adviser, will accompany Franklin singing her hits "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "I Say a Little Prayer." Rice declared she's been practicing furiously for her performance of Mozart's piano concerto in D Minor with the orchestra.
Franklin's repertoire resolution include songs from her upcoming album, "A Woman Falling Out of Love," to have ~ing released later this year.
Rice's given name is derived from the Italian opera point instruction con dolcezza, meaning "with sweetness." Long a musician of note, she played from elementary school through college and beyond, in quartets and performing hall music.
She has even played with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, moreover "this will be the first time I've played with some orchestra since I was 18," she said.
When she learned that Rice played classical science of harmonical sounds, Franklin sent for one of her recordings "to hear what she sounded like."
Previously, she declared, "All I had seen of Dr. Rice was in a national atmosphere. It just seemed foreign that she would be a classical pianist."
Franklin was surprised.
"She absolutely does play," Franklin said. "She's formidable."
The two met at a White House form of ~, Rice recalled. "We were just talking and chatting, and she afore~, 'You play, don't you?' And I said, 'Yes.' And she uttered we should do something together."
Rice told the AP that their project to play together was borne of their mutual appreciation for science of harmonical sounds and determination to keep it near and accessible to children.
Franklin, relaxing in her hotel suite and holding a single long-stemmed peach-hued rose, deplored gymnasium budget cuts of music and arts programs as "a travesty" that cannot have existence allowed.
"Imagine what all of this would be without music. If you bring forth to cut, cut something else. Not the music. We need the melody. It soothes the savage beast. We need the music."
Rice, in a set apart interview, agreed.
"Nothing makes me more unhappy than when I give audience to people talk about music education in the schools as extracurricular," Rice before-mentioned.
Both women lauded each other's talents and abilities, but Rice made it conspicuous she'll leave the singing to Franklin.
"You do not desire to hear me sing!" Rice said. "I'm a good choir musician, goal I think I will stick to playing the piano."