Former European pop superstar performs for Badin High

HAMILTON — In her native Croatia, Tatiana Matejas was a teenage pop music superstar with platinum records, but had grown up with a fear of government and little knowledge of the church.

The fall of the Soviet Union changed all that, as she and many young people turned toward the church.

“I was on top of the world when I finally learned about God and faith,” she told the students at Badin High School, where she performed a Lenten program titled “I Thirst” on Thursday, Feb. 24.

At the age of 21, she left her European career for a quieter life touring the United States with her narrative musical productions.

“I Thirst” tells the story of the crucifixion, much of it from the point of view of those who witnessed it, including Mary the mother of Jesus and the thieves who were hung on crosses beside him. That portion of her program closed with the spiritual “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?”

Matejas said that she came to Hamilton as the result of a letter written to her by Badin student Brianna Listermann, who had seen her perform in other venues in the area.

“I wrote to her because I thought the students here would like to hear her message,” Listermann said. “I like how she expresses her faith and spirituality by telling stories in her music.”

For her finale, Listermann and four of her classmates took the stage with Matejas for a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

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