Perth International Arts Festival, in association with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions (Europe 1100-1800) presents the exclusive world premiere of Tenebrae et Lux (Darkness and Light) framed by CHE Deputy Director and Winthrop Professor Jane Davidson. The Tenebrae Responsoria by Carlo Gesualdo are a monument to a Cappella singing, traditionally accompanied by the movement and extinguishing of candlelight. In this extraordinary Perth Festival commission, esteemed Paris-based new media visual artist Benjamin Bergery responds to and heightens the emotion of Gesualdo’s music with a new light-based installation, using technology by fellow artist, Jim Campbell.

Winthrop Professor Jane Davidson will introduce Tenebrae et Lux in a free pre-concert lecture on Tuesday 12th February at 7pm at the University of Western Australia’s Dolphin Theatre, ahead of the 8pm performance in Winthrop Hall. Her talk situates the work in terms of its emotional context, content and impact of this early masterpiece. Tenebrae et Lux is a journey into darkness and light, where Gesualdo’s evocative 400-year-old works are brought to life by the full strength of St George’s Cathedral Consort to create an immersive experience of unmatched power and beauty.
 
For more information about Tenebrae et Lux (Darkness and Light) visit: http://www.perthfestival.com.au/What%27s-On/Event/Tenebrae-et-Lux–Darkness-and-Light-