In Dijon, the great organ of Saint-Bénigne gets a makeover

It has been enthroned for 276 years in the Saint-Bénigne cathedral in Dijon (Côte-d’Or), it is one of the largest of its category in France: the great organ has been getting a makeover since the beginning of the month of April. Impressive renovation and restoration project, which will last two years in total.

Metal giant … at the foot of clay

A total of 6,000 pipes – the smallest is one centimeter, the largest 11 meters! – have been removed, so we can do a visit inside the large boneless organ, in the company of Yves Cuéno, one of the organists of Saint-Bénigne.

“It is an instrument that is located in the full era of French baroque music. It is one of the largest instruments built at that time in the French province. It now has five keyboards, 72 different tones. , a bit like an orchestra of 72 musicians, it was restored for the last time in 1996, we are resuming work that was started 25 years ago on this organ, to give it all the luster we expect. “

–