Touring Australian artists Philip Matthias (organ and piano) and Bernadette Lannen (soprano) are stopping off in Bermuda on their way home especially to give a fund-raising recital tomorrow in aid of the damaged organ at St. Paul's Church, Paget.

Entitled 'Fields of Gold', the event will feature a variety of music, ranging from organ classics such as Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and Widor's Toccata from Symphony No. 5, to traditional Celtic songs, classical songs, including Puccini's 'O mio babbino caro', and modern songs by Carol King and Gordon Sumner.

Subtitled 'Life, Love & Beyond: A Treasury of Vocal and Organ Masterpieces', the recital will offer something for everyone.

This is the first of a planned series of recitals over the next year to raise funds for repairs to the St. Paul's organ, the blower for which was irreparably damaged when the blower room was flooded during major renovations.

The instrument, the largest pipe organ ever built in Bermuda, with over 5,300 pipes, incorporates historic, valuable materials dating back to 1901 and has, in one form or another, been a continuous part of worship at St. Paul's since 1915.

In addition, it has been used extensively for important community music events including many Bermuda Festival organ recitals, the 2009 Bermuda Festival Chamber Orchestra concert, many Bermuda Chamber Choir concerts and recitals hosted by the Bermuda Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Featured artists have included Dr. Douglas Major (Washington National Cathedral), Dr. Fred Swann (The Crystal Cathedral/Riverside Church) Dr. Ian Tracy (Liverpool Cathedral, UK), Dr. Wayne Marshall (The Bridgewater Hall, UK), The American Boy Choir and many more. In 2004 Dr. Swann described the instrument as "world class".

Sydney-born Dr. Matthias, whose many award-winning achievements include a Fellowship diploma from Britain's Royal College of Organists; a Citation from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council for developing a vibrant and creative culture of choral and organ music to inspire and motivate students to perform professionally at international level; and most recently the Vice-Chancellor's Award for teaching excellence and learning support, is currently a senior lecturer at Australia's University of Newcastle Conservatorium. He is also the university organist; and director of the internationally renowned, and multiple award-winning University Chamber Choir.

It is through his long-standing connection with Bermudian Adrian Ridgeway, whom he met while both were students at the Royal College of Music in London, England, that Dr. Mathias offered to come to Bermuda with his fiancée, Ms Lannen, for tomorrow's recital to boost the repair fund for the St. Paul's organ, which its organist and choirmaster Mr. Ridgeway designed and rebuilt to concert sized proportions over three years in the 1990s.

Ms Lannen, a qualified speech pathologist, teaches singing at the University of Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music, where she also directs the children's and seniors' choirs, and is a member of the University's Chamber Choir.

She has been singing professionally for more than a decade, and active as a soloist and lead vocalist for the Celtic band and recording artists, Erin. In addition, she has performed extensively with various outstanding Australian and Irish singers, songwriters and musicians, as well as in lead and supporting roles in musical theatre.

'Fields of Gold' will begin at 7.30 p.m., and tickets (patrons $50 with reserved seating, adults $30, students and seniors $15) are available at the door, and by telephoning 236-2526, or e-mailing nsmith@ibl.bm.