15800 notes for the Duomo

15800 notes for the Duomo

The Great Organ restoration

The Duomo’s Organ is still to this today one of the most challenging worksites in progress and it is part of the large mosaic of restoration on this artistic, architectural and cultural apparatus of the Cathedral. The Duomo’s organ represents a true patrimony of art and mechanics, and is the symbol of the Cathedral’s centuries-long musical tradition.

Milan Duomo’s organ, whose story began long ago in 1394, is still today the largest modern organ existing in Italy and firmly holds second place at the European level as regards the number of pipes and stops, resulting in it also being included in the hall of fame of the world’s fifteen largest organs. 15,800 pipes, 5 organ cases, 5 consoles: if the numerical data in itself is impressive, even more so are the artistic aspects. The panels on each side of the two monumental organ cases consist of sixteen large canvases depicting episodes from the Old and New Testament created between the 16th and 17th century by well-known artists of the time such as—amongst others—Giuseppe Meda and Camillo Procaccini.

 

 

 

Participation in the project is principally aimed at companies who want to continue writing the Duomo’s great melody, giving this extraordinary instrument its voice back.

 

Following completion of the restoration, a metal plaque with the company’s name will be placed inside the instrument’s wooden structure, thus acting as witness to the Donor’s immense commitment to this impressive work site.

Schedule of works

The efficiency of Milan Duomo’s monumental organ and the integrity of its decorative parts are currently seriously compromised. The functioning of this extraordinary instrument is threatened by various factors of degradation, such as the natural deterioration of  the living materials from which it is made—wood and leather—and deposits of atmospheric particulates on the phonic material, the pipes, to which is added the phenomena of natural wear and tear and oxidation of the electromechanical components. As regards the pictorial heritage, the large canvases on the casings will also undergo major restoration as the current state of the finishing no longer allows for their original reading to be read correctly.

Work has been planned so that a constructive time frame is covered, ensuring the restoration of all the various components without ever compromising the functioning of the Organ, while at the same time giving this extraordinary instrument its voice back.

Donations Office
Via Carlo Maria Martini, 1
20122 Milano
Phone: +39 02.89096554

 

Would you like more details about the project?

Send an email to  [email protected]