Don Carlo Gesualdo was an Italian nobleman, remembered for two particular feats: one is the murder of his wife and her lover, the other is his extraordinary music, in which he stretches tonality and chromaticism to its limits, creating a haunting and sometimes even sinister atmosphere, foreshadowing 20th century music (he was one of Stravinsky’s favourite composers).

The Tenebrae Responsoria were part of the Liturgy for the Holy week, and are embedded in the story of The Passion of Christ, making use of texts from the St Matthew gospel and the Psalms. It is a moving and highly dramatic work, in which Gesualdo makes frequent use of 'tone painting', the musical depiction of human emotions, like weeping and crying, desolation and dejection.

These are superb performances by Ensemble Arte Musica, led by Francesco Cera - a specialist in this field.

The booklet contains liner notes and the sung texts, including English translations.