Notre-Dame to hold first choir concert on Christmas Eve since devastating blaze

The concert – only the third event to take place in the Paris landmark since April 2019's fire – will be broadcast on radio

Workers on a crane look at the Notre-Dame cathedral site on November 24, 2020 in Paris. AFP

A photograph taken on November 24, 2020 shows the melted scaffolding on the roof of Notre-Dame cathedral during reconstruction works. AFP

A photograph taken on November 24, 2020 in Paris shows the pulpit of Notre-Dame cathedral during reconstruction. AFP

A photograph taken on November 24, 2020 in Paris shows a view of Notre-Dame cathedral, which was devastated by a blaze last year. AFP

Paris Cathedral's rector Patrick Chauvet visits Notre-Dame on November 24, 2020 during reconstruction works. AFP

A photograph taken on November 24, 2020 in Paris shows an inside view of Notre-Dame cathedral. AFP

Paris Cathedral's rector Patrick Chauvet visits Notre-Dame on November 24, 2020. AFP

Last week, the restoration reached a milestone with the removal of the last portions of metal scaffolding on the roof. AP

The roof of Notre-Dame cathedral with Paris city hall and the Beaubourg museum in the background. AFP

Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris will echo with song on Christmas Eve as it holds its first choir concert since the massive fire that nearly destroyed the gothic masterpiece last year.

An organ will be rented for the occasion, since Notre-Dame's majestic pipe organ is being carefully dismantled for cleaning and restoration after the devastating blaze that struck on April 15, 2019.

Since then, only two events have been held in the 13th-century landmark – a small mass celebrated in June 2019, and a prayer ceremony last April to mark Holy Friday.

The church remains closed to the public during renovations.

Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris, said on Monday that two soloists would lead the choir and that the concert would be broadcast on radio.

Last week, the restoration reached a milestone with the removal of the last portions of metal scaffolding on the roof that melted into a tangled mess in the fire and threatened to crash to the floor.

That will allow crucial stabilisation and protective work to proceed ahead of rebuilding the destroyed roof and spire.

Officials are racing to meet President Emmanuel Macron's goal of having the cathedral restored within five years.