Francesco Cera was born in Bologna, Italy. He studied organ and harpsichord in his home town and in Amsterdam, specializing in the early repertoire under Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini and Gustav Leonhardt. Regarded as one of Italy’s leading early music specialists, Cera applies his distinctive interpretative approach also to Baroque vocal and instrumental music. After having been a member of the ensemble Il Giardino Armonico and collaborations with renowned specialists, in 1997 he founded the Ensemble Arte Musica, with whom he performs early Italian vocal repertoire. He has performed as a soloist in important international festivals and on historical organs through out the whole of Europe and Scandinavian countries. He is also regarded as a specialist of Italian organ music, teaching masterclasses and acting as a consultant in the restoration of ancient italian organs.

 

Francesco Cera has recorded for Tactus, Dynamic and Tempéraments, harpsichord and organ works of important 17th century Italian composers (Rossi, Merula, Storace, Valente, Pasquini). These titles, together with Domenico Scarlatti’s harpsichord sonatas were praised by international music magazines. His recordings of Bach’s French Suites and harpsichord concertos, for label Arts, are considered reference performances of this repertoire.

 

His recent recordings for label Brilliant Classics include "Scarlatti and the neapolitan song" together with singer Letizia Calandra, and the complete organ chorals of Bach's Orgelbűchlein. He is regulary invited to give master's classes in Europe (Smarano Academy, Piccola Accademia Montisi, Academie d’orgue de Fribourg) and the United States (Oberlin Conservatory, Yale University, Cornell University, Arizona State University). He also collaborates with I Barocchisti conducted by Diego Fasolis, having recorded Baroque operas and instrumental works for label Arts, Virgin, and Decca.