St. Peter’s Basilica Acquires Electric Organ to Reduce Background Noise in Broadcasts

The Vatican gives its desire to remedy certain technical difficulties as the reason for this evolution: “Up to now, the musical production of the pipe organ had been picked up by microphones and rebroadcast digitally throughout the Basilica and St. Peter’s Square,” explained Monsignor Massimo Palombella, director of the Pontifical Sistine Chapel Choir. “This method, however, caused inevitable frequency distortion and quite a few problems related to background noise.” 

The new instrument has been installed next to its ancestor, near the main altar. The former organ continues to be used for liturgical celebrations held at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter.