Aretha Franklin will sing with Condoleezza Rice

Aretha Franklin and Rice will play together on the stage of Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, on July 27, at a charity concert. Funds raised will be donated for educational programs in the United States.

The press release issued by the Mann Center for the Performing Arts states that the former U.S. Secretary of State will accompany on piano Aretha Franklin, while she will perform some of her hits as “Say A Little Prayer” and “Natural Woman” but also songs included on her latest album, entitled “A Woman Falling Out of Love”.

The former head of Bush administration will also sing several passages of classical music, accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The collaboration between the two women is unprecedented both in terms of music and politically.

Rice, a perfect pianist, played in the past with the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma and other great classical artists, rarely approaching contemporary repertoire.

Politically, everything seems to separate the two women. Aretha Franklin, who sang at the investiture ceremony of President Barack Obama is a supporter of the Democratic Party, while Rice is a convinced republican.

“I think we can do something together, an effort to move beyond the differences, to the benefit of charitable organizations” said Aretha Franklin, referring to the original duo, seeming to deliberately parodying the diplomatic language, so popular her stage partner.