The tragic fire that broke out at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15th destroying its iconic spire and reducing its ancient wooden roof to ash has sparked a wave of sympathy and emotion across the world.
The French cathedral, which dates back more than 850 years, will be rebuilt, “more beautiful than before,” declared French President Emmanuel Macron. Reconstruction of Notre-Dame will take many years, and is going to be a huge collective effort.
To celebrate the spiritual and cultural significance of Notre-Dame de Paris in the world, the French Embassy in the United States has organized a series of concerts in New York City (April 26), Washington DC (April 26), San Francisco (April 29), and New Orleans (May 5), offering the opportunity to come together around this drama and to reflect on the importance of world heritage and culture. In the spirit of French-American friendship, each concert will be held at an American Cathedral and will feature a French organist.
- In New York City, join us on Friday, April 26th at 7PM at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, for a free concert featuring French musician Daniel Brondel, Associate Director of Music and organist at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (5th Ave, New York, NY 10022).
- In Washington DC, join us on Friday, April 26th at 7PM at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (400 Michigan Ave, NE, Washington, D.C.), for a free concert featuring Johann Vexo, Notre-Dame de Paris Organist, and the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Johann Vexo was playing at Notre-Dame when the fire started on April 15th. He is the last musician to have performed there.
- In San Francisco, join us on Monday, April 29th at 6PM at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco (1100 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108), for a free concert featuring SF Symphony, SF Opera, American Bach Soloists, and Johann Vexo.
- In New Orleans, join us on Sunday, May 5th at 3:30PM at Saint Louis Cathedral for a free concert featuring Emmanuel Culcasi, French Organist.
All events are free and open to all (no reservation required), with a freewill offering to benefit the rebuilding and restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris.
This series of concerts has been organized by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States with the Consulates in New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and New Orleans,
and the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in New York City, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C., Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans in partnership with the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris.
FOR MORE INFORMATION (press only)
Camille Desprez
Press Officer
Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States