Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsoria

Carlo Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsoria was written for Holy Week liturgical use. The text is derived from entire sections of the St. Matthew Passion and psalm verses. The prevalent use of Gregorian chant, acting as a role uniting force, sublimely combines with a remarkable use of word painting and intense emotionalism throughout the work. Foremost early music interpreter Francesco Cera directs Ensemble Arte Musica, a group dedicated to 18th century Italian cantata repertoire and the works of Gesualdo.