Sunday promises to be a magical occasion for fans of Wayne Marshall and organ music.

The renowned organist, pianist and conductor is on the Island to give the inaugural performance on the new organ at St. Theresa's Cathedral, which has been designed built by his long-time friend and former fellow music student Adrian Ridgway.

The multi-talented Mr. Marshall is a dynamic performer who likes to bridge the gap between himself and his audience by giving informative preambles to each work. Always a favourite with Bermuda Festival audiences, he played to capacity audiences at each appearance. Today, Mr. Marshall enjoys an international reputation and has performed in over 30 countries. He has also been the soloist on 40 CDs. His recital will open with a `tour' of the organ's capabilities, and be followed by Vierne's Symphonie No. 2, `Berceuse pour une femme' by the artist, and Widor's `Toccaca in F. from Symphonie No. 5. Other works will be Bach's `Toccaca and Fugue in D Minor BMW 565', Dupr?'s `Prelude and Fugue in G minor', and Mr. Marshall's own arrangements of the `Prelude to Un Ballo in Maschera' by Verdi and the overture to `Die Fledermaus' by Strauss. Vierne's `Finale to Symphonie No. 1' and improvisations by the organist will conclude the extensive programme. St. Theresa's new organ, made by Rodgers, is the first of its kind on the Island, and is what is known as a `combination' organ. Mr. Ridgeway is the local agent for Rodgers, who also designed and built a new organ for St. Paul's Church in Paget.

"St. Theresa's organ is the biggest instrument of its kind on the Island, and is a four-manual combination digital and pipe instrument which embraces the best of technology, with over 130 stops, including the only cor anglais stop in Bermuda," Mr. Ridgeway said. "Other stops include the French horn, clarinet, big chimes and harpsichord."

Now that the mammoth task is complete, the organ designer and builder admits he is delighted with the finished product.

"It is absolutely the most amazing instrument, and I am overwhelmed and thrilled to pieces by it," he said.

Sadly, however, he will not be attending Mr. Marshall's recital. At about the time his good friend sits down to play, he will be flying to Britain for medical treatment. On his return, however, he plans to enjoy the taped version friends will have made.

Mr. Marshall's recital will begin at 8 p.m. and tickets ($30) are available at the door, or by telephoning Ms Nancy Smith at 236-2526 or Mr. Bill Duncan at 292-0589.