Francesco Cera

clavicembalista e organista

Francesco Cera

Harpsichordist & Organist

7

Harpsichordist

Cera’s interpretations of the music of Girolamo Frescobaldi, have won over the hearts of critics and the public alike. Further recordings and performances include works by Domenico Scarlatti, Jean-Henri D’Anglebert, and, recently, the complete Bach Well-Tempered Clavier.

Organist

Francesco Cera has introduced the public to a wide range of renaissance and baroque Italian organ repertoire through his live performances, recordings on historical Italian organs, and masterclasses throughout both Europe and the United States.

 

Conductor

The Ensemble Arte Musica, founded and directed by Francesco Cera, is composed of vocal soloists of the highest caliber. Since 1996, the ensemble has put forth interpretations of works in the recitar cantando style by Monteverdi, D’India, Belli and Rasi, as well as madrigals by Luzzaschi and sacred works by Gesualdo.

Reviews

I found Cera’s artistry both engaging and persuasive … there’s a phenomenal display of musical imagination. Articulation is superb and the readings reveal an artist skilful in the delineation of voice parts.

Stephen Greenbank – Musicweb International October 19, 2023

Cera s’attache aux tourments intérieurs…il privilège la profondeur, avec un art achevé de la construction.

Vincent Genvrin – Diapason, February 2020. 5 Diapasons

Bis in die virtuosesten Tastenwendungen hinein spielt Cera das Gesangliche, Atmende, auch das Rezitatorische heraus.

Friedrich Sprondel – Fono Forum, February 2020

Francesco Cera is one of Italy’s most prominent keyboard playersHis playing is superb. He has a good feeling for the refinement and elegance of d’Anglebert’s music.

Music Web International, April 2016 Recording of the month

Reviews

I found Cera’s artistry both engaging and persuasive ... there’s a phenomenal display of musical imagination. Articulation is superb and the readings reveal an artist skilful in the delineation of voice parts.

Stephen Greenbank - Musicweb International October 19, 2023

Ces perles sonores exaltent les monodies auxquelles le ténor Riccardo Pisani apporte une intensité très convaincante. [...] la sensualité du mot, cet aigu diversement coloré sont au service d'une poésie plus intime, tout aussi séduisante. Harpe, viole, lirone et théorbe inventent un propos frémissant.
[Francesco Rasi: La Cetra di sette corde. Ensemble Arte Musica, Francesco Cera]

Philippe Ramin - Classica, December 2021

Francesco Cera is one of Italy’s most prominent keyboard players. His playing is superb. He has a good feeling for the refinement and elegance of d’Anglebert’s music.

Music Web International, April 2016 Recording of the month

Cera s’attache aux tourments intérieurs…il privilège la profondeur, avec un art achevé de la construction.

Vincent Genvrin – Diapason, February 2020 5 Diapasons

Bis in die virtuosesten Tastenwendungen hinein spielt Cera das Gesangliche, Atmende, auch das Rezitatorische heraus.

Friedrich Sprondel - Fono Forum, February 2020

Cera has selected an array of exquisite instruments, made up of organs and harpsichords…This is a lavish production by any standards.

Music Web International – December 2020  Recommended

Francesco Cera shows why he continues to be regarded as one of the leading exponents of early Italian keyboard music. His understanding of how to apply the rethorical affetti shine through his playing.

John Collins - The Diapason, August 2015

Le claveciniste italien Francesco Cera évoque la dimension spirituelle des Suites françaises.

Alain Derouane - Crescendo, February 2009

Francesco Cera nous offre une vision expressive et jubilatoire de ce répertoire. Cera maitrise son sujet jusqu’a lui donner une aisance et un naturel remarcable.

Denis Wolff - Répertoire, February 2001

Cera’s crisply-articulated playing bringing out the dance-base of much of this music.

Noel O'Regan - Early Music Review, October 2004

Francesco Cera exploite avec le plus grand naturel toutes les ressources de la liberté agogique. Comme un vrai Italien, il parle avec les mains.

Nicholas Ferrand - Musique d’orgue, April 1998

Featured recordings

+ Info

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

THE WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER

Complete recording of the two books

 

FRANCESCO CERA harpsichord (Daniele M.Giani 2019, after Henri Hemsch 1736)

 

Dynamic (4 CD)

 

Buy

Prelude and Fugue n. 5 in D major BWV 874 - Francesco Cera harpsichord (Daniele Giani after H.Hemsch 1736)

+ Info

FRANCESCO RASI

LA CETRA DI SETTE CORDE

Riccardo Pisani tenor

Ensemble Arte Musica

Chiara Granata harp, Giovanni Bellini theorbo & guitar, Silvia de Maria viola da gamba & lirone

FRANCESCO CERA harpsichord & conductor

Arcana

 

Buy

Occhi sempre sereni - Riccardo Pisani tenor - Ensemble Arte Musica - Francesco Cera harpsichord and musical direction

+ Info

GIROLAMO FRESCOBALDI

TOCCATE - CAPRICCI - FIORI MUSICALI

 

FRANCESCO CERA harpsichords & historical organs

ENSEMBLE ARTE MUSICA, Riccardo Pisani tenor

 

ARCANA (7-CD box)

 

Buy

+ Info

JEAN-HENRY D’ANGLEBERT

COMPLETE HARPSICHORD WORKS

 

FRANCESCO CERA harpsichord (Roberto Livi 2006, after Vincent Tibaut 1691)

BRILLIANT CLASSICS (3 CD)

 

Buy

Chaconne Rondeau - Francesco Cera harpsichord (R.Livi 2006 after Vincent Tibaut 1691)

Next concerts

March 18th, 5 pm

Napoli

Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro

“Lo Stabat di Pergolesi tra storia e interpretazione” Lectio Magistralis held by Francesco Cera
Carlotta Colombo, soprano. Lucia Napoli, mezzosoprano. Ensemble Arte Musica

March 19th, 2024

Bacoli (Napoli)

Chiesa di S.Anna

Carlotta Colombo soprano. Lucia Napoli mezzosoprano
ENSEMBLE ARTE MUSICA
Elicia Silverstein and Alberto Stevanin violins, Diego Mecca viola,
Sebastiano Severi cello, Luca Bandini violone, Francesco Romano theorbo
Francesco Cera organ and direction

Alessandro Scarlatti – Sonata a quattro in fa minore
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi – Stabat Mater

April 19th, 2024

Roma

Museo degli strumenti musicali

“Resonare fibris” concerts
Francesco Cera, harpsichords of Onofrio Guarracino, Naples 1651 and Anonymous, Rome 1600 ca.

“Frescobaldi e Napoli”
works by G.De Macque, G.M.Trabaci, A.Maione, and G.Frescobaldi

 

May 23th, 2024

Bologna

Museo San Colombano (Collezione Tagliavini)

Francesco Cera and Fabiana Ciampi organs by Negri-Poncini 1700 ca. Petronio Giovagnoni 1760, Vincenzo Mazzetti 1830 circa

works for one and two organs by Italian and Spanish composers