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“I wish to pay homage to the memory of Gustav Leonhardt, who died in Amsterdam on Januery 16, 2012. I enjoyed the privilege to study with him between 1990 and 1991. He showed to the world the beauty of the harpsichord, he make people to love particulary the music of Bach, Frescobaldi, Louis Couperin, D’Anglebert, Purcell, unveiling its austere and spiritual deepness.. In this picture I was with him and other colleagues on a happy while in the Summer of 2008 in Montisi (Siena), during concerts of Piccola Accademia”
Francesco Cera is going to give a masterclass about “The Canzone between 1500 and Frescobaldi” at the International organ Academy in Smarano (Trento) which will be held between July 25 and August 4. The final days of the course will be held on the renaissance organs in the basilica of San Petronio in Bologna. See web-site eccher.it
On June 12, 2011, the Ensemble Arte Musica directed by Francesco Cera has performed at the International Barocktage in Melk (Austria) a choice of "Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi” by Claudio Monteverdi. On the German magazine "Concerto" a review appeared about the concert.
The madrigali guerrieri e amorosi by Monteverdi filled the room up to the last place. With Francesco Cera, harpsichordist and conductor to the head of his Ensemble Arte Musica, the atmosphere in the room has increased steadily, alternating cold to hot, staged by Monteverdi. The Mexican tenor Baltazar Zuniga narrated the night fighting between the crusader Tancredi and Clorinda in the exciting way of a traditional 'Storyteller', using facial expressions and gestures, the more talking than singing, as indeed requires the Monteverdi himself. (Sabine Weber on "Concerto" July 2011).
The October issue of the Italian magazine Amadeus includes a CD featuring violinist Marco Serino and harpsichordist Francesco Cera. Program with title “Italian virtuosos in 18th century Europe” contains sonatas for violin and continuo by Francesco Geminiani, Giuseppe Tartini (the famous sonata “The Devil’s trill”), Pietro Locatelli, Francesco Maria Veracini and three solo harpsichord sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti. Marco Serino plays on a 1661 Nicolò Amati violin, Francesco Cera alternates on two harpsichords built by Roberto Livi after Josef Mietke 1720 and Antonio Berera 1761.
Francesco Cera e il violinista Marco Serino
On August 21, 2011, Francesco Cera has given a recital on the Gabler organ in the abbey of Weingarten. Regarded as one of the most famous historical organs in Germany, the majestic instrument was built by Josef Gabler between 1735 and 1750. In the picture, Francesco Cera plays at the consolle with four manuals, richly decorated with ivory, covering both keys and the over eighty stop knobs.
