Eight bells of the north tower of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France rang for the first time, since the 2019 fire, on November 8. “It is a beautiful, important and symbolic step,” said Philippe Jost, head of the team overviewing the cathedral’s restoration, cited in French Catholic newspaper “La Croix.”April 15, 2019, fire that collapsed the spire and part of Notre Dame’s roof, causing extensive damage inside, will officially re-open as Paris’ cathedral on Dec. 8th, after five years of work on the cathedral’s restoration.
🔔 À moins d'un mois de la réouverture de Notre-Dame de Paris, les cloches ont retenti pour la première fois depuis l'incendie d'avril 2019, et signe un pas de plus vers la résurrection de la cathédrale #AFPVertical ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/eJJmnwsPwU
— Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) November 8, 2024
Henri Chalet, organist and director of the famous La Maîtrise Notre Dame de Paris Choir since 2014, said that for eight days, some of Paris’ famous musicians will be included in the schedule of ceremonies, including a special concert on Dec. 17 and 18, featuring Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Magnificat.” Guest musicians will include American cellist Yo-Yo Ma, born to Chinese parents in Paris, raised and educated in New York City, who will play on March 25. He will perform Bach’s six cello suites, and three motets specially composed for Notre Dame’s reopening by the young French composer Lise Borel, and based on prayers by St. Francis of Assisi.
Traditional orchestrations such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem,” Bach’s “St. John Passion” and another “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré will also take place.
“The Maîtrise is 850 years old, just like the cathedral itself. Notre Dame was the birthplace of polyphonic singing and rhythmic writing. We are bound to its history.”
The blue alb worn today by Notre Dame choristers, is in reference to the Virgin Mary.
The Maîtrise is one of France’s leading vocal and choral educational centers. It brings together 150 student choristers — the youngest at 5 years old — split into four choirs.
Before the fire, it offered music for some 1,200 liturgical services a year in the cathedral, and a concert every Tuesday evening.
The Maîtrise is one of France’s leading vocal and choral educational centers. It brings together 150 student choristers — the youngest at 5 years old — split into four choirs.
Before the fire, it offered music for some 1,200 liturgical services a year in the cathedral, and a concert every Tuesday evening.
Source: Our Sunday Visitor - La Croix
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