A Suffolk singer says she has been “humbled” by the response to a special performance she gave in Hebrew to the Mayor of Jerusalem.
Christina Johnston, who attended Framlingham College, was asked by an Israeli ambassador to perform Jerusalem of Gold at the “awe inspiring” St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.
The concert, held on the recent Day of Jerusalem, a celebration to pray for peace, was attended by government officials, ambassadors and embassy representatives, and included a broadcast to the Mayor of Jerusalem. Among the prayers, a minute’s silence for the victims of the recent Manchester terror attack.
Christina, who has established an international reputation from her base in the Czech capital, will be returning to Suffolk for a much anticipated homecoming concert this Saturday at St Michael’s Church in Framlingham.
Despite having performed for heads of state around the world, Christina said she felt “a little pressure to get this perfect” at her latest performance – having been told the song’s importance to the Israeli people.
“It was, however, an absolute honour to sing in Hebrew for the government officials and Ambassador of Israel and other countries who attended the prestigious event,” she added.
“It was such a moving event and many people afterward said how spiritually moving the whole evening was.”
After the event, Christina said she was approached by dignitaries who congratulated her on the performance.
The executive director of the Czech branch of the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem told her “it was one of the peaks of the whole evening event”, while another ambassador praised her “beautiful” version of the song.
“It made my very humbled,” said Christina.
Saturday’s concert in Framlingham, will see Christina perform The Miracle of the Voice featuring the “highest and most difficult” arias ever written.
The coloratura soprano, who is returning to release her album, Blessing, will be accompanied by Caroline Dowdle who is the pianist for opera singer Sir Thomas Allen.
The concert is set to feature pieces by Mozart, Bellini, Bernstein and more, as well as an interview with Christina who will take questions from the audience.
To attend email management@christinajohnston.co.uk or call 01394 380788.
Tickets for the concert, which starts 6.30pm are £16 or £12 for concessions.
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