The Diva and The Diplomat

Condoleezza Rice is no stranger to the whims of royalty. So when the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, decided the two should get together to play a song or two for charity, it was decreed.

The former U.S. secretary of state and Franklin took the stage Tuesday evening at Philadelphia’s Mann Music Center in a rare duet for Rice, the classically trained pianist, and Franklin, the divalicious voice of a generation. Their aim was to raise money for inner-city youth of Philadelphia and Detroit and awareness for music and the arts.

Their three-hour concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra before an estimated crowd of 8,000 overflowed with Franklin’s hits, operatic arias and classical music.

Rice accompanied Franklin singing “I Say A Little Prayer.” Rice said she practiced furiously for her performance of Mozart’s piano concerto in D Minor with the orchestra.

Franklin’s repertoire included songs from her new album “A Woman Falling Out of Love,” out later this year.

When Franklin learned that Rice played classical music, she sent for one of Rice’s recordings “to hear what she sounded like.”

Franklin was surprised. “She really does play.”