The Italian harpsichordist, organist and conductor Francesco Cera, is internationally recognized for his performances of 17th and 18th century keyboard music, and as a leading specialist of Frescobaldi’s keyboard works.
1989-1991 he specializes with L. Ferdinando Tagliavini and Gustav Leonhardt; and gets his diploma from the Amsterdam Conservatory
1991-1994 harpsichordist of the ensemble Il Giardino Armonico – recordings for Teldec and concerts throughout Europe
1996 he founds the Ensemble Arte Musica, specializing in Italian vocal music from Gesualdo and Monteverdi, to the cantatas of the 18th century
since 1990 he has performed solo recitals and as the director of the Ensemble Arte Musica in such venues as Festival of Flanders, Festival Oude Muziek in Utrecht, Resonanzen in Vienna, Baroktage Melk, Philarmonie Köln, Tage Alter Musik in Herne, Lådegard in Oslo, Festival in Maguelone, Abbaye de Saint-Michel en Thiérache, Musica e poesia a San Maurizio in Milan, Accademia Filarmonica in Rome, Festival Monteverdi in Cremona, Bologna Festival, Sagra musicale Malatestiana in Rimini, and on historical and modern organs in Europe, Scandinavia and United States
His recordings for label Arcana, Arts, Brilliant Classics, Tactus, Tempéraments include:
– keyboard works of M.Rossi, T.Merula, B.Storace, G.B.Trabaci, A.Valente
– D. Scarlatti: Sonate per clavicembalo 1742
– J. S. Bach: French Suites
– J. S. Bach: Harpsichord Concertos
– Bach: Orgelbüchlein
– D’Anglebert: Complete harpsichord works
– Gesualdo: Madrigali libro quarto, Tenebrae Responsoria
– The Organ at European Courts
In 2019 a seven-CD box set is released for Arcana label with the four main keyboard works by Girolamo Frescobaldi interpreted by Francesco Cera on nine priceless instruments
He has held master classes at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Smarano Organ Academy, Piccola Accademia Montisi, Oberlin Conservatory, Yale University, Eastman School of Music in Rochester, Academia de Organo J. Echevarria (Spain), Frescobaldi Akademiet in Grimstad (Norway)
He has been a consultant for the restoration of historical organs in Italy
Francesco Cera currently teaches harpsichord at the Conservatorio “A.Pedrollo” in Vicenza
