Concert in Trapani


The La Grassa organ.

On 12 and 13 February 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. The instrument's restoration was completed by the firm 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, and Rudolf Kelber, organist and music director at St. Jacobi in Hamburg (above).

Dr. Nino Allegra (left).

President Ciampi and János Sebestyén (above).

Luigi Celeghin and János Sebestyén at the La Grassa organ (right).


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


Music & Diplomacy