O vos omnes,second repons du Vendredi saint, H134 (Charpentier)
Movements
Notes
A feature of the lamentations is the melismatic setting of Hebrew letters at the beginning of each Latin verse. These are highly virtuosic vocal settings which were sung by professional singers from the Paris Opera. This was a ritual spectacle involving set pieces of liturgy interspersed with musical “Repons” and the gradual extinguishing of fourteen candles. The fifteenth candle was finally hidden from sight, a loud ‘bang’ was heard symbolising the earthquake following Christ’s death and plunging the entire church into darkness. The candle was finally restored to view symbolising the resurrection.
