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Leçons de ténèbres
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April 2026 | ||||||
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Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
Wednesday, 1st April at 7:00 pm
LEÇONS DE TÉNÈBRES
François Couperin’s Leçons de Ténèbres (for Holy Wednesday) survive today in three of their original nine sections, composed in 1714 for two sopranos and basso continuo. The text, drawn from the Lamentations of Jeremiah, recounts the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and, in Catholic tradition, evokes the profound solitude of Christ following his betrayal by Judas. Poised between drama and devotion, every note reveals the emotional intensity and aching beauty of this Baroque masterpiece.
Program and cast
Music by F. Couperin
Liesl Odenweller, Soprano
Caterina Chiarcos, Soprano
Venice Music Project Ensemble
The Scuola Grande dei Carmini
BRIEF HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Scuola Grande dei Carmini was founded on 1 March 1594 by the “Confraternita sive scola” under the name of the Glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, headed by Bernardin Soardi «tellarol», manufacturer and merchant of precious fabrics.
However, ancient Venetian chronicles tell of the existence of a lay Congregation or Confraternity of women, known as “le Pizzocchere dei Carmini”, who met in the adjacent Church of Santa Maria dei Carmini and who began to build the main structures from 1286.
With a decree dated 22 September 1597, the Council of Ten authorised the foundation of the “Fraterna under the name of the Most Holy Habit of the Glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel”, placing the School under the authority of the Municipal Superintendents of the Most Serene Republic of Venice.
In 1668 Baldassarre Longhena was given the task of designing and building the two facades facing Campo Santa Margherita and Campo dei Carmini, a work that the architect completed in two years.
On 21 December 1739 it was decided, with 37 votes in favour and 4 against, to entrust Giambattista Tiepolo with the entire decoration of the ceiling of the Chapter House.
By decree of the Council of Ten, dated 27 April 1767, the “School of the Blessed Virgin of Carmel” was elevated from a minor school to a Great School and subjected to the discipline of the Magistrate of the Inquisitors and Auditors over the Great Schools of Venice.
With the decree of 26 May 1807 the French government suppressed all lay religious schools and societies, but already in 1825 the School Chancellery was reconstituted and the Grand Guardian was elected again.
The Emperor of Austria Franz Joseph, with a decree dated 7 December 1853, authorised its reinstatement by approving its regulations and staff and granting the title of “Archconfraternity”.
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