Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted its first concert on Saturday since the devastating fire that damaged the building almost 18 months ago.
The concert, which was recorded, featured 20 singers, a solo soprano, a violinist and a rental organ. The performance is scheduled to air on Christmas Eve, The Associated Press reported.
Performers remained socially distanced during the performance to comply with the indoor COVID-19 safety precautions required by France.
In a statement to the AP, the diocese described the performance as a “highly symbolic concert” that was “marked with emotion and hope” and a celebration of a “musical heritage dating back to the Middle Ages.”
Notre Dame usually holds 60 concerts throughout the year, although the church retains its normal schedule since the April 2019 fire.
The disastrous fire consumed the roof of the cathedral and destroyed its needle. It also damaged the church’s 8,000-pipe organ, which will be in the cleaning phase for the next four years, but is expected to be back in operation one day, ABC reported in August.
Earlier this month, the church stabilized and workers were able to begin some building repairs.