Marie-Claire Alain elevated to Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur

The distinguished French concert organist, scholar, and teacher, Marie-Claire Alain, was elevated to the prestigious rank of Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur by the President of France, François Hollande, on July 14, 2012. The National Order of the Legion of Honor was created by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1802. Madame Alain has previously held the ranks of Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur of the Légion d’Honneur.

Madame Alain had a serious fall this summer and recently had surgery for a second time on her left arm and shoulder on July 18. On August 10, she celebrated her 86th birthday. If readers would like to send a card of congratulations to Madame Alain, they may write to her directly: Madame Marie-Claire Gommier-Alain, Maison Notre Dame, 53 rue de Paris, Le Pecq 78230, France.