500+ Concert with Olivier Latry, Last Organist to Play Notre Dame Cathedral’s Grand Organ

Olivier Latry was the last organist to play the Notre Dame Cathedral organ before the fire. It left an indelible mark on him.

"My wife and I stayed up all night," Latry said. "It was horrible."

Notre Dame Cathedral organist Olivier Latry was the first of three appointed titular organists at Notre Dame Cathedral, in Paris, France.

He played a free concert at St. Ann's on November 17 at 3:00pm in honor of the church's 150th anniversary.

The Ambassador of France in the U.S., Philippe Étienne, and his wife, Mrs. Patricia Étienne, attended. Following the concert, the Ambassador tweeted:

Merci à Olivier Latry, organiste titulaire de Notre Dame, pour un magnifique concert à l'église Sainte Anne à Washington. Wholehearted thanks to our friends for their help in the reconstruction of our great cathedral ! pic.twitter.com/4HcH8aF0pC

- Philippe Etienne (@Ph_Etienne) November 18, 2019

Latry addressed the current state of the organ and Notre Dame Cathedral, an 800-year-old structure. Hear his remarks:


St. Ann's Létourneau Organ, installed in 1999, was recently enhanced tonally and restored in 2018.

This was Latry's third time playing St. Ann's organ.

The program was comprised of works by music legends Bach, Boëly, Gigout, Franck, Dupré, Messiaen and Litaize.

See photo and video:  https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJWi8nd

View the program.

Hear his award-winning music here: http://www.concertorganists.com/artists/olivier-latry/

To enhance viewing, attendees watched him closely on a large, projected screen in the front of the church.