New York’s Met Opera sings French anthem after attacks

NEW YORK, USA – New York’s Metropolitan Opera led by Placido Domingo on Saturday, November 14 mourned the victims of the attacks in Paris with an unscheduled performance of the French national anthem.

Ahead of a matinee of Puccini’s Tosca, Domingo conducted the orchestra in “La Marseillaise” as the Metropolitan Opera Chorus sang the words in French on stage.

A slip of paper was put in all programs at the premier US opera house with the lyrics to the anthem and an explanation that the song was “a show of our solidarity with the citizens of France.”

A music venue, the Bataclan, suffered the deadliest toll Friday night, November 13 as assailants killed at least 129 people in a coordinated rampage around Paris.

New York, scarred by the September 11, 2001, attacks, has come out to remember the victims in Paris. 

One World Trade Center, New York’s tallest building which opened last year near the site of the fallen twin towers, lit up Friday night in the French flag’s blue, white and red tricolor, while the Empire State Building went dark as a sign of mourning.

Domingo, considered the world’s most famous opera singer, has returned to the Metropolitan Opera after missing initial Tosca performances due to gallbladder surgery. – Rappler.com

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• Over 128 killed, 180 injured in Paris attacks
• IN PHOTOS: November 13 Paris attacks
• ISIS claims Paris attacks
• The Bataclan theater in Paris: From music venue to killing ground
• U2 cancel Paris concert after attacks
• US band caught up in Paris attacks reported safe
• Witnesses tell of ‘bloodbath’ at Paris rock concert
• Shock, horror for 80,000 fans at Stade de France after Paris attacks
• French search for friends, shelter online after Paris attacks

Global, social media reactions

• World leaders condemn Paris attacks, vow to help
• Pope Francis on Paris attacks: ‘This is not human’
• Aquino: ‘Philippines stands shoulder to shoulder with France’
• ‘This time it’s war:’ French press react with horror to attacks
• World mourns and condemns attacks in Paris
• #PrayForParis, #Fusillade trends on Twitter amid Paris attacks
• Celebrities call for support, prayers for Paris