World-famous French organist to play July concert at Buckfast Abbey

On Saturday 16th July, Buckfast Abbey in South Devon will host the world-famous, titular organist of Poitiers Cathedral in France, Olivier Houette, for a splendid evening recital.

Renowned for his ability to master the most diverse repertories, Olivier Houette has delighted and enthralled audiences the world over performing at some of the most prestigious music venues, including the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, Saint-Louis-des-Francais in Rome, the Warsaw Philharmonic, and in the United States, Germany, Switzerland and Spain. This will be his first concert performance in England.

A centre of culture and arts in the South West of England, Buckfast Abbey is recognised as both a place of worship and a centre of musical excellence. The Abbey installed a new organ by the Italian builder, Fratelli Ruffatti, in 2018, which is the only instrument of its kind in the UK. It is the perfect venue to host this celebrated organist for his unique recital on 16th July.

Professor at the Paris Conservatoire, Olivier Houette, will be performing a virtuosic programme, which will include his own transcription of the Second Orchestral Suite by Bach, Mendelssohn’s delightful Variations sérieuses and Widor’s Symphony No. 5, concluding with the famous Toccata!

Tickets for the concert are priced at £15 and are available to purchase now from www.buckfast.org.uk/boxoffice or from the Abbey Bookshop. Advanced booking is advised, as seating is unreserved and on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at approximately 7:00pm, following the conclusion of Monastic Vespers.

Commenting on the forthcoming concert, Matthew Searles, Acting Master of the Music, said: “It is a great pleasure to be welcoming such a fine keyboardist to play at the Abbey. We are very much looking forward to Olivier’s recital, which will doubtless showcase all the facets of our unique and colourful instrument.”

Buckfast Abbey is conveniently located midway between Exeter and Plymouth, just off the A38. Home to a community of Benedictine monks, the Abbey offers a unique, tranquil ambience, and is open seven days a week to the public. For more information on Buckfast Abbey visit https://www.buckfast.org.uk