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Sistine Chapel Choir tours South Korea

They performed Gregorian chants and 16th century cappella songs
Sistine Chapel Choir tours South Korea

The Sistine Chapel Choir performing its first concert in South Korea at Myeongdong Cathedral on July 5. (Photo by The Catholic Times of Korea)

Published: July 17, 2017 04:52 AM GMT
Updated: July 17, 2017 04:52 AM GMT

The Sistine Chapel Choir has made its first concert tour in South Korea where it performed in six cities.

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul said that it was meaningful that the choir's initial performance was at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.

"At Myeongdong Cathedral the pope prayed for the peace and reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula," said Cardinal Yeom as an explanation. 

"I wish the audience feel the love and peace of God through the heavenly voices of the choir," he said.

Among the cities visited by the choir where Daejeon, Gwangju and Busan where they performed Gregorian chants and the cappella songs of Giovanni Pierluigi, a 16th century composer.

John Baptist Sim Ji-won, 11, attended the concert held at Daejeon and he greatly appreciated the performance.

"The voices of choir members of my age were like the sound of heaven," said John.

The choir's conductor Monsignor Massimo Palombella said the Sistine Chapel Choir performs outside the Vatican to spread the Gospel.

"I hope our concerts in Korea become a chance for Korean Catholics to grow in their faith and that our presence here helps non-believers know about God," said Monsignor Palombella.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea invited the choir as a commemoration of the third anniversary of Pope Francis' visit to South Korea.

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