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
Bach’s Preludes and fugues were rarely heard more adequate, fuller, richer, more lyrical, more turbulent and more laborious than on these four CDs.
Paul Janssen – Luister February 2024
I found Cera’s artistry both engaging and persuasive. Articulation is superb and the readings reveal an artist skilful in the delineation of voice parts.
Stephen Greenbank – Musicweb International October 19, 2023
Clavier bien tempéré de Bach plein d’éloquence avec Francesco Cera au clavecin. La version de Franceso Cera au clavecin se distingue par une approche très informée, tant par la technique propre au clavier baroque que par son art du discours.
Frédéric Munoz – Resmusica.com March 7, 2024
Engaging, interesting and Thoughtful, Francesco Cera’s performance of The Well-Tempered Clavier. He gives voice to the voices and instead of just a dry plain reading we hear an enlivened elocution. It is as if he recited the music for us.
Endre Enaru – Classicalmusicdaily.com November 2023
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)
+ 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
+ Info
GIROLAMO FRESCOBALDI
TOCCATE - CAPRICCI - FIORI MUSICALI
FRANCESCO CERA harpsichords & historical organs
ENSEMBLE ARTE MUSICA, Riccardo Pisani tenor
ARCANA (7-CD box)
+ Info
JEAN-HENRY D’ANGLEBERT
COMPLETE HARPSICHORD WORKS
FRANCESCO CERA harpsichord (Roberto Livi 2006, after Vincent Tibaut 1691)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS (3 CD)
Next concerts
June 22nd
Bologna
Chiesa dei Santi Vitale e Agricola
Elicia Silverstein violin
Francesco Cera harpsichord
works by Corelli, Pasquini, Biber, J.S.Bach
June 25th
Lerici
(La Spezia)
Chiesa di San Francesco
Francesco Cera organ by Pietro Agati 1841
Il Barocco tra Spagna e Francia
works by Correa de Arauxo, Bruna, Cabanilles, L. and F. Couperin, Marchand
September 5th
Asciano
(Siena)
Abbazia di Monte Oliveto
Elicia Silverstein violin
Francesco Cera organ
Le Sonate del Rosario di Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
I Misteri gloriosi
September 9th-12th
Bologna
Basiliche di San Petronio e di San Martino, chiesa di San Procolo
Masterclass on the Renaissance organs in Bologna with Francesco Cera: “Frescobaldi e il Barocco a Roma”
Lectures by Nicola Badolato, Edoardo Bellotti, Francesco Cera, Catalina Vicens
September 29th
Galatina
(Lecce)
Chiesa di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria
Francesco Cera organ by anonymous 1558
Works by C.Merulo, A. e G.Gabrieli, G.Frescobaldi