Renée Fleming & Matthew Polenzani Perform At Cardinal Funeral

Longtime friend to Cardinal Egan, opera star Renée Fleming pays him honor in song
during the funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City today.

The Mass of Christian Burial took place today for Edward Michael Cardinal Egan. As a musician himself, he was a great lover of opera. One of the singers most associated with His Eminence was soprano Renée Fleming. She sang at the Midnight Mass Christmas Eve service and the Mass of Installation for then Archbishop Egan in 2000. He also was by her side when the Richard Tucker Park was inaugurated in 2012. It was only fitting that she would perform at his funeral services. She sang a stirring rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria" and César Franck's "Panis Angelicus." She was joined on the latter by fellow Metropolitan Opera star, tenor Matthew Polenzani. Other music during the service included Chopin's Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4, Schubert's Stabat Mater, Perosi's “Introito” from Messa di Requiem, and Barber's Adagio for Strings. View the entire program for the services by clicking here. More pictures of Renée Fleming and Cardinal Egan together, after the jump.