PHILADELPHIA (AP) — 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 urban children and awareness for music and the arts.

"It is a joint effort for the inner-city youth of Philadelphia and Detroit," Franklin told The Associated Press the night before their concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

"We decided to give it a try," Franklin said. "So here we are, in the city of Brotherly — and Sisterly — Love."

Their appearance in the three-hour concert before an estimated crowd of 8,000 overflowed with Franklin's catalog of hits and arias from the world of opera and classical music.

Rice, better known as a diplomat and national security adviser, played piano while Franklin sang her hit "I Say A Little Prayer" as well as "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Earlier in the program, Rice performed a selection from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor with the orchestra, a piece she said she practiced furiously.

Franklin even tickled the ivories a few times Tuesday night, including for a song off her new album "A Woman Falling Out of Love," to be released later this year. She also sang a duet — "The Way We Were" — with surprise guest Ronald Isley.

Rice's given name is derived from the Italian opera stage instruction con dolcezza, meaning "with sweetness." Long a musician of note, she played from elementary school through college and beyond, in quartets and performing chamber music.

She has even played with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. But, she said this was "the first time I've played with an orchestra since I was 18."

When she learned that Rice played classical music, Franklin sent for one of her recordings "to hear what she sounded like."

Previously, she said, "All I had seen of Dr. Rice was in a political atmosphere. It just seemed foreign that she would be a classical pianist."

Franklin was surprised.

"She really does play," Franklin said. "She's formidable."

The two met at a White House function, Rice recalled. "We were just talking and chatting and she said 'You play, don't you?' And I said, 'Yes.' And she said we should do something together."

Rice told the AP their plan to play together was borne of their mutual appreciation for music and determination to keep it near and accessible to children.

Franklin, relaxing in her hotel suite and holding a single long-stemmed peach-hued rose, deplored school budget cuts of music and arts programs as "a travesty" that cannot be allowed.

"Imagine what all of this would be without music. If you have to cut, cut something else. Not the music. We need the music. It soothes the savage beast. We need the music."

Rice, in a separate interview, agreed.

"Nothing makes me more unhappy than when I hear people talk about music education in the schools as extracurricular," Rice said.

Both women lauded each other's talents, and abilities, but Rice made it clear she'll leave the singing to Franklin.

"You do not want to hear me sing!" Rice said. "I'm a good choir musician, but I think I will stick to playing the piano."

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Associated Press Writer Kathy Matheson contributed to this report.

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(cont’d) Were it not for her, America would not have barely escaped a depression. Were it not for her, the movement to impeach that creep, [shortly after he STOLE the 1st election with the help of his brother] would have grown feet & we likely wouldn’t have had to suffer the damage he did in 8 yrs. This stanking**** backed, supported & allowed herself to be the Black face of the gwb administration...

by   
Sevennotrump
July 28, 2010, 2:34 pm
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FT & Wild_Bill: You guys are on point. This disgrace to Black women, (Gonorrhea Wrong)/Condaleeza Rice, is the Aunt Thomasina be-yotch that single handedly convinced congress to give in & grant that idiotic, racist germ, gwb, the authority to invade Iraq for his private war against Huessein (who was NO THREAT) to America, but who for years had blocked the Bush Crime Syndicate’s influence with the OPEC board.

by   
Sevennotrump
July 28, 2010, 2:33 pm
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I blame Rice for a hell of a lot more than stopping Carter from attending the Pope's funeral. Rice dares to show her face in public after her time in the white house with Bush! She needs to go back to Stanford where she can be with the folks that cater to her. As for me I wouldn't give her the time of day if she asked.

by
Wild_Bill

by   
Sevennotrump
July 28, 2010, 2:32 pm
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I blame Ms. Rice for Jimmy Carter not being able to attend Pope John Paul II's funeral. President Carter should have been there because he was President when John Paul II was elected pope. She was not a head of State-just a pawn for Dubya, because President Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize over Dubya and it was payback from the Lying Weasel Bush!! ALSO!! The Queen of Soul looks a million time better than Ms. Rice!!

by
FTSMITH

by   
Sevennotrump
July 28, 2010, 2:31 pm
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8,000 folks spent their bucks and time to be there for these two diamonds.Some of us just can't afford the privilege..Black Diamonds are very rare
and some of us admire that glitter

by   
Jimmyg
July 28, 2010, 1:50 pm
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I blame Rice for a hell of a lot more than stopping Carter from attending the Pope's funeral. Rice dares to show her face in public after her time in the white house with Bush! She needs to go back to Stanford where she can be with the folks that cater to her. As for me I wouldn't give her the time of day if she asked.

by   
Wild_Bill
July 28, 2010, 1:31 pm
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Whatever you want to say about our folks we have diamonds in the rough all over the country.
Some fall by the way side undiscovered but thank God these two were discovered early.But it's a d**** shame millions more will never be discovered.

by   
Jimmyg
July 28, 2010, 11:45 am
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I blame Ms. Rice for Jimmy Carter not being able to attend Pope John Paul II's funeral. President Carter should have been there because he was President when John Paul II was elected pope. She was not a head of State-just a pawn for Dubya, because President Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize over Dubya and it was payback from the Lying Weasel Bush!! ALSO!! The Queen of Soul looks a million time better than Ms. Rice!!

by   
FTSMITH
July 28, 2010, 7:46 am
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