Opera Singer Pretty Yende Shares What It Was Like Performing at King Charles III's Coronation (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

coronation of King Charles III was a historic moment in many regards, but for opera singer Pretty Yende, the moment had special significance.The South African soprano became the first African soloist invited to perform at a British coronation ceremony on Saturday, as she took the stage with the world watching to perform «Sacred Fire,» a piece written by composer Sarah Class for the occasion.«It's a dream come true,» the singer shared with ET's Kevin Frazier following the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. «When I got to learn about opera, I realized that it's something that I would like to share with as many people as possible, because of how it made me feel.»«It was more than the joy that I've known and love that I've known, and I wanted to share it with as many people as possible,» she added. «So this moment is a dream come true, a true gift for me, because I got to share my gift with such an incredible platform.»Dressed in a stunning yellow Stéphane Rolland gown and Graff jewelry, Yende told ET that «I really feel like I'm royalty, actually.»She also had a unique perspective on the coronation ceremony both before and after her performance.«It was quite interesting, because for me, I'm waiting there the whole time, so it was a different experience,» she recalled. «Before I got to sing, I got to be all alone up there, but as soon as I started singing, I felt the incredible celebratory mood in the house and the joy of the people and there was something that truly warmed my heart as well — and kept me warm, because it's quite chilly in there!» Following her song, Yende added, is when the emotions started to wash over her.«I started crying the moment I came down from performing, because it suddenly dawned on me that this is.