Barack Obama's presidential inauguration ceremony, taking place on the West Front of the Capitol, will feature a live performance from Aretha Franklin.
- December 18, 2008
AceShowbiz -
R&B and soul singer Aretha Franklin is announced to perform at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration. She will be making a live appearance in front of selected guests on January 20, 2009 beginning at 10 A.M. on the West Front of the Capitol.
Opened by U.S. Marine band, the event will also feature performances from violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill. The four musicians will be playing a work composed by arranger John Williams just before Obama takes the Oath of Office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
The inauguration also includes a poem reading from Elizabeth Alexander, a 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist. Lasting for about two hours, it will be ended with a performance by the United States navy band performing the American national anthem.
