De Profundis is the second cantata of the Italian composer Fra Armando Pierucci to Regina Derieva’s poetry. This is also the second world premiere of a work by Pierucci/Derieva performed by the Lithuanian choir “Aidija”. The first one took place at the end of 1997 in Vilnius, when, according to international media, the poet was said to be “in limbo” (see references). The second will take place in Sweden, a country that not only gave Derieva a refuge but also became a « Paradise found», a favorable place for her creative mind. During a short span of time she has written a new book of verse and is presently working on another one, as well as on a novel.

The poems for the new cantata are taken from a book from 1998 and set to music in the autumn of 2000. It coincided with the beginning of the new tragedy of the Palestinian people, amongst which both the poet and the composer have lived for about ten years.
The cantata (both verse and music) certainly has no direct references to realities of time and place, but reflect, of course, the tragedies of suffering mankind. At the same time this production, although short in time, gives voice to the inexhaustible striving of Man to God.

The subtitle – The Art of Dying – may perhaps scare or shock. Death is always a great taboo. People prefer to talk about anything but death. It used to be said that people lived as if there was no tomorrow. Today, most people live as if there will always be a tomorrow! However, Augustine once said, “Think daily upon thine own death.” This is good piece of advice for those to whom Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

De Profundis is a cantata that should be staged for full dramatic realization, but it can also be done as a concert performance. It is a work that appeals both to performers and to audiences. Fra Armando Pierucci is indeed a genuine master capable of writing music that has a direct appeal and is easily memorable.