Paris, August 11, 2020
Photo: vhhil.nl
An 8,000-pipe organ survived the devastating fire that engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019, but was severely affected by lead soot and the high temperatures.
In Paris, work has begun on dismantling, cleaning, subsequently reassembling the organ, which is the largest musical instrument in France, and is expected to be fully restored by 2024, according to sedmitza.ru.
The 8,000-pipe organ, dating from 1733, survived the blaze that consumed the roof of the famous cathedral last April and destroyed its spire, but the flames covered the instrument with poisonous lead soot and particles, which must now be removed. In addition, the instrument has suffered from the summer heat and other temperature fluctuations, which it has been exposed to since the cathedral was left without a roof.
Last week, experts began dismantling the organ, which will last until the end of the year. Fragments of the instrument will be placed in special containers, after which they will be cleaned and restored. After restoration, it will take at least another six months to set up the instrument.
The unique organ is expected to sound again on April 16, 2024, marking the fifth anniversary of the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral.
French President Emmanuel Macron hopes that the cathedral itself will be able to open for the Olympic Games, which are to be held in Paris in four years.
Notre Dame Cathedral, built 850 years ago, caught fire on April 15, 2019.
