As part of the Third International Organ Festival "St. Anastasia's Organ", one of today's most distinguished French organists, Professor Thomas Ospital, gave a concert in St. Anastasia's Cathedral in Zadar on Saturday, 11 July, once again confirming his reputation as one of the leading concert organists of his generation.

Following his outstanding performance last year, which brought the Second International Organ Festival to a close, Ospital returned to Zadar with a carefully curated programme featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Marcel Dupré, as well as one of his celebrated improvisations—a hallmark of his artistic identity and one of the qualities for which he is internationally renowned.

The concert opened with Bach's monumental Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532, showcasing Ospital's flawless technique, architectural clarity, and profound understanding of Bach's musical language. This was followed by Variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je, maman," K. 265 by Mozart, presented in Ospital's own transcription for organ. By successfully transferring this well-known piano work to the organ, he preserved its virtuosity, elegance, and playfulness while revealing the remarkable tonal richness of the great cathedral organ of St. Anastasia. Particularly impressive was Thomas Ospital's improvisation, which once again demonstrated why improvisation occupies such an important place in his artistic work. His creativity, spontaneity, and ability to shape a completely new musical narrative in the moment left a profound impression on the audience.

The second half of the evening was devoted to Marcel Dupré's monumental Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23, one of the masterpieces of the organ repertoire. Through its four movements—Le monde dans l'attente du Sauveur, Nativité, Crucifixion, and Résurrection—Ospital created a powerful musical journey marked by dramatic intensity, contemplation, and magnificent sonic climaxes, making full use of the rich tonal possibilities of the French-inspired cathedral organ.

The audience rewarded the performance with prolonged applause and a standing ovation, prompting the artist to return with an encore, further confirming the special bond he has established with the Zadar audience.

The great cathedral organ of St. Anastasia once again proved to be an exceptional concert instrument, while Thomas Ospital's performance reaffirmed the high artistic standards of the "St. Anastasia's Organ" International Organ Festival, which continues to bring some of the world's finest organists to Zadar each year.

This year's festival also announced an important new milestone—the inaugural The Anastasia Organ Grand Prix, an international organ competition to be held in Zadar in the summer of 2027. Thomas Ospital will serve as a member of the international jury alongside Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin and Pavao Mašić, with the jury chaired by Olivier Latry, titular organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. This distinguished panel further strengthens the festival's position on the international organ music scene.

Concert program:

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)

Prélude et fugue en Ré Majeur BWV 532 (12’20) 

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)

Variations sur “Ah, vous dirai-je maman” K. 265 (transcription Thomas Ospital) (13’)

Thomas OSPITAL (1990)

Improvisation

Marcel DUPRE (1886-1971)

Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23 (35’)

     Le monde dans l’attente du Sauveur 

      Nativité

      Crucifixion

      Résurrection 

The prolonged applause and standing ovation with which the audience concluded the evening were the finest testament to yet another unforgettable musical experience in St. Anastasia's Cathedral and to another successful festival encounter between world-class organ artistry and the audience of Zadar.