The La Grassa organ.

On February 12 and 13, 2003, János Sebestyén joined Luigi Celeghin, Rudolf Kelber and the Coro della Fondazione Teatro Massimo de Palermo for concerts at the Church of San Pietro in Trapani, Sicily. The concerts celebrated the recently completed restoration of the church's organ, which was severely damaged during World War II. Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, his staff and invited guests attended the first performance. This unique organ, completed in 1842 by Francesco La Grassa, consists of 3292 pipes operated from three independent consoles. Detailed information can be found at the website for the firm that completed the restoration, Inzoli Cav. Pacifico & Figli di Bonizzi F.lli. In addition to Bach and Bruckner, the program included rarely heard works by Ferdinando Provesi, Carlo Goeury, Pietro Valle, Mariano Müller, Carlo Fumagalli and Padre Davide da Bergamo.

János Sebestyén; Luigi Celeghin, organist and director of the La Grassa organ restoration; Dr. Nino Allegra, director of tourism in Trapani and descendant of Francesco La Grassa; Claudio Bonizzi, whose firm completed the restoration; Rudolf Kelber, organist and music director at St. Jacobi in Hamburg (above). Dr. Nino Allegra (left).

President Ciampi and Sebestyén (above). Celeghin and Sebestyén at the La Grassa organ (right).

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi with the organists, chorus and guests following the concert on February 12.