Donald Macleod looks at the extraordinary life and music of Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa.

A mere two years after murdering his first wife, the beautiful Donna Maria d'Avalos, Gesualdo is betrothed to marry another eligible woman - Leonora d'Este. He sets out for the Este court at Ferrara and, among the 300 items of luggage he transports there, takes care to pack his books of madrigals. The experience of Ferrara's wondrous musical culture will profoundly influence his own compositions. As to the second marriage - it was barely happier than Gesualdo's first.

Felice primavera; Danzan le Ninfe; Tirsi morir volea
Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam
Harry Van Der Kamp, director

Io tacero
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie, director

Gagliarda del Principe di Venosa
Delitiae Musicae
Marco Longhini, director

Come vivi cor mio; All'ombra degli allori
Delitiae Musicae
Marco Longhini, director

Languisco e moro; Dolcissimo sospiro
Delitiae Musicae
Marco Longhini, director

Luci serene e chiare; Arde il mio cor
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie, director

Sparge la morte al mio Signor
Delitiae Musicae
Marco Longhini, director.
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