South African soprano Pretty Yende helped usher in the new era of the Notre Dame Cathedral with a goosebump-inducing rendition of Amazing Grace:
Paris, France (10 December 2024) — It’s been years since Paris’ cultural, historical and religious landmark, Notre Dame Cathedral, welcomed people who weren’t construction workers. After the devastating fire of 2019, the restoration processes have been lengthy and laborious. But, last weekend, the cathedral opened to the public once more, and South African soprano Pretty Yende helped make the reopening a breathtaking moment for all.
The reopening ceremony saw VIP guests from all over the world in attendance. World leaders, royalty, cultural figures, donors and Elon Musk all gathered to celebrate Notre Dame’s new chapter on Saturday, while Sunday saw the French public invited to attend Mass at Notre Dame for the first time in over five years.
Amid all the excitement, there was a sure amount of pressure for the talent tasked with ushering in the historic moment. Among them was South Africa’s Pretty Yende, who did the reopening gorgeous justice with her spectacular rendition of Amazing Grace.
Of the experience, Pretty shared poetically:
“It’s Warmth, Peace, Unity, Holy Spirit leave a divine mark. The Holy Walls of Her Majesty Notre Dame resonated in my gift, a duel perpetuated in the acoustics of my heart and this divine place.”
For the opera darling, taking the inner court was nothing short of “a divine moment” all its own.
“The intention was to focus on each and every heart that would hear the call of Amazing Grace. It is abundant, available for all,” she shared of her choice that slightly changed the arrangement in a bid to add effect for a full and rich bloom of the orchestra.
This follows numerous other high notes for Pretty Yende’s career that have made South Africans so unbelievably proud, including performing at King Charles III’s coronation and claiming the role of Queen Mary in Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda opera.
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