Placido Domingo presents album of songs drawn from JP II's poetry

Vatican City, Nov 28, 2008 / 09:26 am

Described as the successful union of truth, goodness and beauty, Placido Domingo’s newest album is a tribute to Pope John Paul II that borrows its depth from the poetry of the late Pope. Mr. Domingo, Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi and record company representatives unveiled the new work at the Vatican today.

“Amore Infinito” or Infinite Love is, in a sense, a heartfelt dedication by Placido Domingo to a man who opened his eyes to a new worldview, a world the Jesus came into to show us the power of God’s infinite love.

Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, described his experience of listening to the new album:

"Listening to these songs, so magnificently interpreted by Placido Domingo and the London Symphony Orchestra, brings back the memory of John Paul II and of an entire life, frequently marked by dramatic episodes, lived with a passion for God and for man.

“What is the secret of this 'Wojtylian' poetic, which he translated into so many poetical texts?" asked the bishop. "For John Paul II everything begins with God's 'yes' to man, everything arises from God's plan of 'infinite love.' God's 'yes' to man means 'yes' to his dignity, to his authentic needs. It means 'yes' to the world ... and to everything that is beautiful, good and just in life."

Bishop Crepaldi concluded his remarks by noting that the texts of the songs "cover many subjects: family affections, work, war, homeland, etc, but all of them", he said, "are inspired by God's 'yes' to man, by the Infinite Love of God."

Msgr. Scotti, the director of the Vatican’s publishing house, said that he sees the album as “an encounter” at its core. It is “the encounter of Placido Domingo with a man, a believer, a Pope, who showed him a certain outlook on life. Here, hence, is an artist, a person accustomed to scrutinizing men and things through the spectrum of art, who could not but be attracted and fascinated by a great man, a Pope, who showed his a point of view that was true and worthy of attention."

"In echoing Karol Wojtyla, Placido Domingo can tell us all, with the overwhelming power ... of his song, that 'the world is full of hidden powers which courageously I identify and name', ... that 'this love has explained all things, this love is everything for me' and then, fearlessly, to affirm with the same pride as John Paul II that 'Jesus came into the world to show us all the love of God.'

"In a certain sense," Msgr. Scotti added, "Placido Domingo has achieved in this album what Benedict XVI wrote on November 24 for the 13th public session of the Pontifical Academies: 'we must regain an understanding of the intimate link binding the search for beauty to the search for truth and goodness.'"

"This work by Placido Domingo,” Scotti said, “makes us aware that we have not yet fully delved into the rich human, cultural and spiritual heritage which Wojtyla showed us glimpses of. This heritage can help us to better understand ... that the world and history are entrusted to us, and that it is up to us, now, to become architects and builders of a future in which mankind and nature are reconciled with one another and with God, as has been made even more clear by the dramatic events we are seeing over these days."