Opera Singers Serenade Jerusalem Motorists

Commuters in Israel battling rush hour traffic were given a reprieve from the familiar sounds of car brakes and honking horns.

The operatic arias of Gershwin, Mozart and Verdi echoed from the voices of four divas.

The singers from the Tel Aviv-based Israeli Opera serenaded commuters ahead of their upcoming opera festival.              

[Yifat Weisskopf, Israel Opera Soloist]:

"It's a special experience because of the special place, because of the special air, I think its very nice to be here and to sing. Its a unique experience actually."              

The outdoor festival in June will take place at the foot of the Masada mountain on the shore of the dead sea.              

Aida by Verdi will be the main work performed.