Göteborg Baroque Presents: From Light to Darkness - Leçons de Ténèbres

Leçons de ténèbres is the name of a primarily French tradition of setting biblical laments to music. Ténèbres means darkness and refers both to the actual darkness in the church - where traditionally one candle was extinguished after each verse - and to a symbolic sense of sorrow and contemplation.

The music is built on texts from the Lamentations of Jeremiah and expresses feelings of loss, stillness, and hope. It is intended to be performed during Holy Week and exists in many settings, of which François Couperin's 1714 version - for two voices, viola da gamba, and organ - is among the most celebrated.

Göteborg Baroque was founded in 2003 by artistic director Magnus Kjellson, who leads the ensemble as a performing conductor at the organ or harpsichord.