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The Christmas concert was recorded on December 19th
Photo: - / dpa
Appearance with construction helmet and work gear - the Notre-Dame choir gave an unusual concert in the badly damaged cathedral for Christmas.
It was recorded on December 19 and broadcast on Christmas Eve by the TV station "France 2".
For 20 singers from the Notre-Dame adult choir, it was the first performance in the church since the devastating fire in mid-April 2019. Two soloists and an organist were also involved.
The church is still closed to the public.
There were also no spectators at the concert.
Cellist Gautier Capucon, among others, referred to the date on Twitter and posted a video.
The cathedral a construction site
After the fire, there were already small masses without an audience in the cathedral - for example at Easter.
Christmas masses took place in other places in the capital, including under a circus tent, as the broadcaster BFMTV reported.
Notre-Dame is currently a construction site.
French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to rebuild the world-famous attraction by 2024.
The fire more than a year and a half ago had badly damaged the church.
The 1,300 oak trees installed in a space between the roof of the cathedral were on fire and melted the pale roof above.
It was largely destroyed.
Only an hour after the fire broke out, the spire fell victim to the flames.
Huge amount of donations
After all, the two characteristic bell towers have been preserved, thanks in part to the tireless efforts of the fire fighters on site.
Nevertheless, for the first time in 200 years, there was no Christmas mass in Notre-Dame in 2019.
Since 1803, people in the Paris cathedral had previously celebrated a Christmas mass every year - even during World War II.
After the catastrophe, companies and the super-rich donated huge amounts to rebuild the building.
A good week after the fire broke out on the evening of April 15, 2019, donations totaled several hundred million euros.
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jme / dpa