Aestimatus sum

Carlo Gesualdo's Aestimatus sum is a powerful motet for SSATTB voices, set to a Latin text. The words paint a stark scene of despair and abandonment, with the singer feeling like a man cast into the abyss, forsaken and among the dead. This Tenebrae responsory draws its dramatic imagery from scripture, depicting a descent into darkness and the shadow of death. Gesualdo's intense musical language, characteristic of his later sacred works, captures the profound anguish of the text, making this a compelling and emotionally charged setting for a discerning choir. The intricate vocal writing demands expressive precision and a deep understanding of the text's somber message.