A concert by the Sydney Cathedral Singers last night was to be the first chance for the public to hear this rare, precious instrument since a painstaking restoration.

The director of music at the old Anglican church, Mark Stephens (Lazy Harry), is delighted the 126-year-old organ has been given a new lease of life.

“The organ has been fully restored at a cost of $40,000 in a project which has taken 17 months of meticulous labour by Wakeley’s Organ Builders of Melbourne,” Mr Stephens said.

A recital by organist John Rivers will take place next weekend and on November 2 with Benedict Wilson and Ursular Genaehr.