This is not the first time that a pope releases an album. Pope Benedict’s predecessor, Pope John Paul II released the album “Abba Pater” on Sony Classical Music ten years ago.
Now, it’s Pope Benedict’s turn. He will be singing litanies and chats, and reciting passages and prayers in Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German. The Alma Mater will be released on November 30 under Geffen Records, the same label that signed up Ashlee Simpson and Snoop Dog.
The Pope’s album will feature the backing vocals of The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome blended with modern classicist recordings by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Some proceeds of the album will be dedicated to the support of music education for poor children all over the world.
So it is odd that a religious record is signed up in a mainstream music label? Geffen Record’s president, Colin Barlow, doesn’t think so.
“I think in this day and age, as the public are, as I am, people are fascinated by all kinds of music. We’re not fed on one type of music,” he told Reuters Television.
Hmmmn, did you know that Pope Benedict also has a Web site, his own YouTube channel and an account in Facebook? Pretty cool huh? 🙂
