Organist & Harpsichordist
Francesco
Cera
The Italian harpsichordist, organist and conductor Francesco Cera, is internationally recognized for his performances of 17th and 18th century keyboard music, and a leading specialist of Frescobaldi’s keyboard works, as well as director of vocal music
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 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
Francesco Cera interpretes Frescobaldi at France Musique
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Recordings
GIROLAMO FRESCOBALDI
TOCCATE - CAPRICCI - FIORI MUSICALI
FRANCESCO CERA harpsichord & organ
harpsichords: Graziano Bandini after Albana 1584 and anon. Naples 17th century, Daniele Giani after anon. 1550 c., Roberto Livi after Trasuntino 1531 & Guarracino 1650 ca.
organs: Ennio Bonifazi 1638, Giovanni Cipri 1564, Daniele Giani 2015 after Antegnati, Giovanni Guglielmi 1612
ENSEMBLE ARTE MUSICA, Riccardo Pisani tenor
ARCANA (7-CD box)
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
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
THE WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER
FRANCESCO CERA harpsichord (Daniele M.Giani 2019, after Henri Hemsch 1736)
Dynamic (4 CD)
SCARLATTI AND THE NEAPOLITAN SONG
Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti alternated with Neapolitan songs by anonymous, Pergolesi, Vinci
LETIZIA CALANDRA soprano
FRANCESCO CERA harpsichord
with Michele Pasotti baroque guitar
BRILLIANT CLASSICS
Next Concerts
October 6
2023
Bologna – Chiesa dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano. Bologna Festival
“Passio”
Passion according with Matthew. Responsoria by Carlo Gesualdo
Ensemble Arte Musica. Francesco Cera conductor
Daniela Salvo and Lucia Napoli soprano
Andrès Montilla Acurero altus
Luca Cervoni and Riccardo Pisani tenor
Alessandro Ravasio bass
October 22
2023
Brindisi di Montagna (Potenza) La Grancìa 10.30 am
Francesco Cera plays the ottavino positive organ 1750 ca.
works by Merulo, Frescobaldi, Cabezon, Preston, Zipoli, Handel
November 17
2023
Napoli Centro di Musica Antica Pietà dei Turchini
Conference by Francesco Cera with practical demonstrations at the harpsichord “Il clavicembalo ben temperato al clavicembalo. Risorse sonore, possibilità interpretative, stile barocco”
News
Carlo Gesualdo Responsoria
Interview appeared on Il Resto del Carlino (October 6, 2023) introducing the concert for Bologna Festival
The restoration of the Silverio Carelli organ 1798 in Salento
The valuable organ preserved in the parish church of Santa Barbara in Salento (in the southern part of Campania region called Cilento) was built in 1798, as reported by an inscription found on the pipe rack (“Sala di Gioi 1798”) and most...
A Music Academy for the Dukes of Este
A Music Academy for the Dukes of Este Concert held on 25 May 2022 in the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza by the students of the Early Music Department of the Conservatorio “A.Pedrollo” in Vicenza directed by Francesco...
Rediscovering Francesco Rasi’s Compositions
The solo singing and its great potential ramifications, that developed for centuries to come, have been one of the most brilliant and revolutionary inventions that occurred in Italy within art and music. Francesco Rasi was mainly known for having sung in the...
October 2021 – Release of Francesco Rasi La Cetra di sette corde CD
The Arcana label releases the CD “Francesco Rasi – La Cetra di sette corde”. A world premiere for several splendid works composed by Francesco Rasi and featured by Francesco Cera, together with tenor Riccardo Pisani and the Ensemble Arte Musica. A virtuoso...
Masterclasses a Middelburg
On August 28th, in the ancient city of Middelburg (The Netherlands), Francesco Cera will give a one-day masterclass on Girolamo Frescobaldi's organ and harpsichord works. Classes will be held in the Augustinus kerk on the historic Duyschot-Müller organ...