Film composer Hans Zimmer conducts Vatican concert for the poor and homeless

The Vatican announced Thursday that Oscar-winning film composer Hans Zimmer will conduct a special concert for the poor and homeless at a venue in Vatican City.

Zimmer, known for his scores for films such as Gladiator, The Lion King, Interstellar and Pirates of the Caribbean, will conduct some of his most memorable film tunes at the event.

The legendary composer will perform at the Vatican's “Concert with the Poor” in the Paul VI Hall on December 7th. be the focus.

Three thousand needy people served by volunteer organizations across Rome will be invited to enjoy the live performance. At the end of the concert, they will receive a take-out dinner and other necessities.

The aim of the Vatican event is to uplift those who are often on the margins of society, giving them not only a world-class performance but also an experience that recognizes their dignity and worth.

Zimmer has won Academy Awards for composing the original music for Dune and The Lion King, as well as 22 Grammy nominations for films such as Inception, The Prince of Egypt and The Dark Knight.

He will be joined by Grammy-nominated cellist Tina Guo and Italian priest and composer Monsignor Marco Frisina, who has composed both sacred music and scores for numerous religious films in Italy.

To mark the choir's 40th anniversary, the Nova Opera Orchestra with 70 musicians from all over Europe and the 250-member choir of the Diocese of Rome will also take part.

Pope Francis will meet privately with Zimmer and the other artists before the concert.

The “Concert with the Poor,” first held in 2015, has become a Vatican tradition. Previous editions of the event have hosted greats such as the late composer Ennio Morriconea legend of Italian cinema history, and Nicola Piovani, who won the Oscar for Best Original Music for Roberto Benigni's film “Life Is Beautiful”.

The concert is under the auspices of the Vatican Dicastery for the Service of Charity, the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music.

The concert capacity is 8,000 visitors, including 3,000 special guests from Rome's poorest communities. These guests are invited by various charities such as Caritas, the Order of Malta and the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Tickets for the general public will be available from November 18th through event management website.

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.