Gesualdo: Madrigals, Book 1

Featuring

Marco Longhini
Delitiæ Musicæ
Carlo Gesualdo

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Composer Biography

Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, was a wealthy and powerful nobleman, not an ordinary musician.

Compositional Technique

Gesualdo's First Book of Madrigals uses the word 'morire' (to die) as a euphemism for sexual orgasm, a common courtly linguistic convention of the time.

Composition History

Gesualdo's First Book of Madrigals was published in Ferrara in 1594 by Vittorio Baldini, edited by musician Scipione Stella.

Performer Biography

Delitiæ Musicæ, directed by Marco Longhini, is considered one of the most enterprising Italian early music ensembles, with several acclaimed recordings.

Composer Biography

Gesualdo's family was well-connected, related to Carlo Borromeo (later canonised) and on good terms with Charles V and Philip II of Spain.

Critical Reception

As early as 1650, Athanasius Kircher cited Gesualdo's 'Baci soavi e cari' in his Musurgia Universalis, recommending the composer's music for its finesse and virtuosity.