Happy Anniversary, Opus 42!

Allen Bean, our Parish Music Minister will give a concert on the organ, Sunday, November 19 at 3:00 P.M. The program will last about an hour, include some explanation of the organ and music offered.

“Opus” often refers to a specific musical composition. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony is his Opus 67. The number may be decided by date of composition, date of publication, or be an arbitrary assignment used to organize a catalog of a composer’s music. The Saint Bridget Organ is “John-Paul Buzard Organ Company, Opus 42.” In this case, the number means this is the 42nd pipe organ built by the Buzard organ company.

 

The organ was delivered in summer of 2013, first used at Mass in September, and dedicated by Bishop DiLorenzo in November. So, we are coming up on the 10th Anniversary of the Organ’s blessing. So, some celebration is in order.  

 

Over the course of the last 10 years, we have welcomed many great visiting organists to play: Daniel Roth of St. Sulpice and Thomas Ospital of St. Eustache in Paris; Tom Murray from Yale University and Craig Cramer from Notre Dame University; Canadian organists Rachel Laurin and Isabelle Demers. The organ’s varied tonal colors, and ability to play gently or with great power has been acclaimed by many in our community.

 

The instrument’s primary purpose, of course, is to accompany the liturgy. However, as our consultant told us during Opus 42’s planning and design process, “If it can accompany Mass, Weddings and Funerals well, it will also be a capable concert instrument.” Come hear our beautiful organ played differently from its usual liturgical role in two concerts to celebrate its anniversary.

 

Please come, celebrate!

 

For your calendar, Vincent Dubois, Titular Organist of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, will give a concert at Saint Bridget on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 7:30 P.M.