The Office of Tenebrae was extremely popular in France in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was tightly structured and also had a true theatrical dimension, notably through the use of light and the gradual extinguishing of a candle after each lesson. The three Lessons of Darkness (Leçons de Ténèbres) by François Couperin are a skillful blend of theatrical writing that expresses the extremely poignant text of the Lamentations of Jeremiah with haunting recitations of Hebrew letters (Aleph, Beth, Caph…).

This music is often associated with the female voices of convents and abbeys although religious houses for men such as the Jesuit houses also celebrated the Tenebrae with music. Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas has chosen to record this program with male voices, a choice that reveals unexpected new colors and textures in the music. The album also includes Lalande’s Miserere, again with male voices: haute-contre, taille and basse.

Paco Garcia, Tenor (Tracks 2–8, 23–31)
Étienne Bazola, Varitone (Tracks 10–14)

Ensemble Les Surprises
Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas
Juliette Guignard, Viola da Gamba
Étienne Galletier, Theorbo
Louis-Noël Bestion, Harpsichord, Organ & Direction

Men’s Choir (Tracks 1, 15, 22–30)
Paco Garcia, Tenor
Stephen Collardelle, Tenor
Antoine Ageorges, Tenor
Romain Bazola, Tenor
Étienne Bazola, Baritone
François Joron, Baritone
Thierry Cartier, Baritone