The Cathedral of St. Paul will host a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday by the organist of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris to mark the completion of a three-year project to refurbish its sanctuary and gallery pipe organs.
The 50-year-old Aeolian-Skinner organ, the larger of the two, was reassembled this year in the choir loft after its pipes were cleaned and restored by a Missouri company. The pipes were encased in new, walnut-gilded ornamental housing designed by University of Notre Dame architect Duncan Stroik and crafted in California.
The two organs have a total of 5,566 pipes, including 61 that combine to make the "pontifical trompette" announcing the arrival of the pope or other high-ranking prelate. Both organs have new consoles that can be played separately or together.
The concert by the Notre Dame organist, Olivier Latry, will last an hour. About $98,000 remains to be raised for the $3.4 million project, and donations will be accepted at the concert.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
@KDuchschere
