Carla Bruni-Sarkozy to give first concert as France’s first lady at Mandela’s NY birthday

French first lady to sing at NY Mandela concert

PARIS — Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will sing at a birthday celebration for Nelson Mandela in New York in her first public concert since she married France’s president.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office says the model-turned-singer will perform at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday along with stars including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys. The concert is part of several “Mandela Day” events marking the South African statesman’s 91st birthday.

Sarkozy’s office says Bruni-Sarkozy has not performed in public since she married on Feb. 8, 2008.

Sarkozy will hold a working lunch with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York on Friday to discuss world financial governance, peacekeeping operations and climate change.