The hermitage of Los Dolores, patron saint of Lanzarote, acquires a 19th-century French organ

The parish of the hermitage of Los Dolores, in Tinajo, has acquired for the first time an organ for the temple that houses the image of the Virgen de Los Dolores, patron saint of Lanzarote, as reported to EFE by Alejandro Rodríguez Rubio, organist and specialist in organ restoration.

It is a Clergeau organ, a 19th-century French instrument, which was located in the town of Gardanne, near Marseille, in the church of Our Lady of the Assumption.

The construction of this type of organ is attributed to Abbot Clergeau, who was the inventor of the transposing system. However, some parts were made by various manufacturers such as Alizan, Stolz, Le Logeais, and Daublaine-Callinet, among others.

This particular organ features pipes from the manufacturer Daublaine-Callinet, who also made some stops, or sets of pipes, for major organs in Paris such as Saint-Sulpice or Notre Dame.

Abbot Clergeau's organs are a "particular and relevant case in the history of 19th-century French organ building," says Rodríguez. Each organ is unique, although they all share a large number of common characteristics. They were small instruments intended to restore splendor to worship in small rural parishes and churches in France.

The organ was complete but had been out of use for several decades, so a complete restoration will be necessary, which will be carried out in the coming months.

Furthermore, it is the only organ of its kind in Spain.

After being dismantled, the organ traveled by road and sea to Lanzarote to proceed with its restoration and assembly.

Rodríguez estimates that the restoration work, which he will undertake himself, will last several months, but that it will undoubtedly be ready for the next Los Dolores festival, on September 15, 2026.