Wednesday in Holy Week, Tenebrae
27th March, 7.30pm

Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responseries
Lassus: Lamentations

English Consort of Voices
Directed By Christian Goursaud

Tenebrae means darkness or shadows, and our Wednesday evening Service of Tenebrae (in anticipation) of Maundy Thursday is derived from the monastic offices of Mattins and Lauds. We reflect on Jesus’ Passion as the chants are sung, candles and the lights in the church are extinguished one by one until the church is left in silent darkness.

This year the Tenebrae Responsoria is by the Italian composer, Carlo Gesualdo, and is the Maundy Thursday set from his Responsoria et alia ad Officium Hebdomadae Sanctae spectantia music for Holy Week, published in 1611.

For many, this Tenebrae Service is one of the most moving and meaningful worship services of the year, despite its sombre tone, darkness and music all reflecting Christ's suffering, yet in anticipation of the resurrection.