9 to 12 singers
Electro acoustical system


Originally a responsory is an alternate chant between a cantor and a choir. It is sung in Gregorian chant during a liturgical office.
 
Tenebrae Responsoria (or Responsoria et alia ad Officium Hebdomadae Sanctae spectantia according to their original title) consists of a set of three responsaries including twenty seven motets for six unaccompanied voices, a psalm and a hymn, composed and published by Gesualdo in 1611.
 
The opus is as emotionally charged as his madrigals and outlines that unconventional composer’s audacity in his harmonic singularities and his dynamic contrasts. He is considered as being influenced by the Neapolitan School characterised by extremely innovative harmonic research.
 
The cycle of responsaries for Holy Week was sung during Tenebrae service, on the evening of the Holy Triduum, i.e. the last three days of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday (Feria quinta), Good Friday (Feria sexta) and Holy Saturday (Sabbato sancto). In Gesualdo’s time celebration was quite often anticipated on the preceding evening, at nightfall. Fifteen candles on a triangular candlestick were gradually extinguished until the church was in total darkness.
 
This programme is devoted to some of Gesualdo’s motets, alternating with the responsories for solo voices and tape by DV (a cycle of works initiated with the “Via Crucis” programme and continued here).

Translation / André Calmein