97-year-old Czech opera star performs ode to Bohemian saint in Rome

Rome, Sept 29 (ČTK special correspondent) - Thursday's performance of the oratory "Touch of Eternity" in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, composed in homage to St. Ludmila, was one of the most significant cultural events to take place during the Czech EU presidency yet.

A number of guests representing the Czech Republic and the Vatican attended the performance. The lead role was performed by Czech mezzo-soprano Soňa Červená who sang the part of St. Ludmila in Italian.

Červená, who turned 97 three weeks ago, came to Rome on Wednesday, boarding a special government aircraft with a Czech delegation, in order to take part in the national mass in St. Peter's Basilica, held on the occasion of the St. Wenceslas holiday.

The oratory was composed by conductor Jan Zástěra. Zástěra conducted the Teplice North Bohemia Philharmonic Orchestra along with the Kuhn Mixed Ensemble on Thursday evening.

Along with Červená, additional roles were performed by Czech singers Lucie Hájková, Petr Nekoranec, Jiří Brückler, and Boleslava and Jiří Hájek.

The performance commemorated last year's 1,100th anniversary of the martyr's death. It was postponed by a year due to the pandemic.

The Czech national evening was the culmination of the two-day celebration of two Czech saints, St. Wenceslas and his grandmother, St. Ludmila.

It was held under the auspices of Prime Minister Petr Fiala and attended by Culture Minister Martin Baxa and dignitaries from the Czech Catholic church and Vatican. Czech ambassador Vaclav Kolaja as well as representatives of the Bohemian Heritage Fund organized the concert.