The Office of Tenebrae was extremely popular in France in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was tightly structured and also had a true theatrical dimension, notably through the use of light and the gradual extinguishing of a candle after each lesson. The three Lecons de Tenebres by Francois Couperin are a skilful blend of theatrical writing that expresses the extremely poignant text of the Lamentations of Jeremiah with haunting recitations of Hebrew letters (Aleph, Beth, Caph...). This music is often associated with the female voices of convents and abbeys although religious houses for men such as the Jesuit houses also celebrated the Tenebrae with music. Louis-Noel Bestion de Camboulas has chosen to record this programme with male voices, a choice that reveals unexpected new colours and textures in the music. The album also includes Lalande's Miserere, again with male voices: haute-contre, taille and basse.
