Signum Records is proud to announce the release of the latest recording by The King’s Singers: Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday. Carlo Gesualdo, an Italian Prince, is probably most famous for his obsessive double murder of his first wife and her lover, but the same sense of celebrity does not always attach to his music. After the murder of Maria, Gesualdo suffered from severe and increasing feelings of guilt. His sense of a need to do penance never left him and he was moved to compose church music of a most black and self-reproachful nature. The programme on this CD represents a part of the liturgy for the Matins Offices on the final three days of Holy Week, the Triduum Sacrum. Each of the Matins services is divided into three nocturns, each containing psalmody, three lessons and three responsories.

‘…searingly intense, with the singers’ clear, steady sound, beautifully judged changes of pace and dynamics…’

The Daily Telegraph

‘The King’s Singers are always a treat to hear… as with everything this inimitable, impeccably tuned and balanced, stylish male sextet does, the chant is expertly accomplished, and the following multi-part responsories are sincerely felt and warmly resonant.’

David Vernier, Classictoday.com

‘…their reputation for after-dinner smoothness, The King’s Singers… all-male line-up… makes those grinding climaxes all the more tense and penetrating, and the attention given to word-painting is exemplary.’

Ivan Hewitt, The Times

‘…a no holds barred, immaculately sung performance from The King’s Singers. Unmissable.’

Classic FM Magazine