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
MAY 2021 – Frescobaldi
‘Il Sole 24 Ore’ has published the book "Musica a specchio" edited by Carla Moreni. Ten extraordinary interpreters of our time tell us about one elective composer each. Alongside the testimonies of Maurizio Pollini, Antonio Pappano, Salvatore Accardo, and...