Rocklin, Calif. (PRWEB) November 3, 2005
Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster of operatic proportions. Therefore, it's only fitting that a presentation of equally grand proportions serve as a benefit for hurricane relief.
That's why award-winning soprano, Rufina James, created a unique multi-media presentation to help raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The inspirational presentation, called "Prayer for New Orleans," combines the music of Verdi's "Ave Maria" (from his grand opera, Otello) with expansive nature photography. It can be viewed 24/7 on http://www.prayerforneworleans.com
"I've found that profound music and beautiful images, combined with the power of prayer, uplift the human spirit in ways that nothing else can," says Rufina. "It's my hope that seeing the beauty of nature and hearing Verdi's gorgeous music can help heal the trauma and loss so many experienced during this natural disaster.
The "Prayer for New Orleans" was created to help heal the wounds of Katrina not only on the physical level, but on the emotional and spiritual levels as well. And with more than 350,000 homes destroyed (more than 12 times the number wiped out by any previous natural disaster), over 850,000 homes homes damaged, millions of displaced people and an entire region to rebuild, funds will be needed for years to come.
"The hardest hit areas are very stark right now and people are still shell shocked," said Moe Grzelakowski, the chairperson for LovingNeighbors.com, a hurricane relief network. "People need hope right now ... and something inspirational to assure them that God is present.
Fifty percent of all profits will be donated to relief and rebuilding organizations such as the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and local churches and organizations working directly with the victims.
In Verdi's opera, singing the Ave Maria prayer comforts Otello's wife, Desdemona at a difficult time. "I felt it was the perfect piece of music to put into this kind of setting," explained Rufina.
Churches and groups are welcome to show the presentation to their congregations. It can be previewed at: http://www.prayerforneworleans.com - where screensaver downloads and CDs are available for purchase to raise funds.
###
