Carlo Gesualdo: Italian Composer, Essay Example

Carlo Gesualdo was an Italian composer and member of an aristocratic family, to which he is primarily known.  Born in 1566, Gesualdo died in 1613 and was also the Prince of Venosa and Count of Conza.  He was known in the music world for expressive madrigals which were not appreciated much in his lifetime.  Additionally, he is well known for the murders he committed in response to his first wife’s love affair.

Life

Gesualdo was part of a well-known family in the aristocracy.  Later Saint Charles Borromeo, his uncle was Carlo Borromeo.  Girolama, his mother, was the niece of Pope Pius IV and his family acquired Venosa in 1560.  From recent evidence Gesualdo was probably born in 1566, although this is a matter of debate.  Not much is known of Gesualdo’s early life.

Gesualdo in 1586 married Donna Maria d’Avalos.  Donna Maria d’Avalos was his first cousin and also the daughter of Marquis of Pescara.  However, two years later, Gesualdo’s wife began having an affair.  They were able to keep it a secret for nearly two years, though Gesualdo found them together and murdered them, displaying the corpses for everyone to see and witness.  She and her lover, the Duke of Andria, Fabrizio Carafa, were murdered.

The murders were broadcasted in the papers and many who were eager to exploit what had happened.  Some sources state that Gesualdo had murdered his second son by Maria and his father-in-law.  At any rate, the brutal details of the couple were made known.

Gesualdo fled immediately after the murders, seeking protection at his castle where he could be safe from relatives on either side.  Immune to prosecution as a nobleman, he was able to flee, seeking protection only from retaliation.  He remained at his castle at Gesualdo (town) for the next four years.

Italy

In 1594 Gesualdo went to a center of progressive musical activity in Italy at Ferrara.  There he married the niece of Duke Alfonso II, Leonara d’Este.  In 1597 Leonara went with Gesualdo to his estate.

In the meantime Gesualdo surrounded himself with the best musicians in Italy.  The atmosphere of Ferrara was where he published his first book of madrigals.  He also become interested in writing music for the three women in the concerto delle donne, though it has not survived if it was done.

Later Life

In 1595 Gesualdo returned to his castle from Ferrara.  This period was marked by one of isolation by Gesualdo, where he wrote most of his most famous music and the chromatic and difficult portions of the music.  Taking comfort in music, for his own amusement he was able to hire instrumentalists and singers, and consequently was marked by a period of self-isolation in which he never left his castle.

The marriage with his second wife was not going well.  After charges of abuse and her family seeking a divorce from Gesualdo, she began spending more and more time away from him.  Later in 1600, his son from his second marriage died.

Gesualdo suffered from depression later in his life.  He had his servants beat him daily and engaged in activity to rid himself of guilt for his crimes.  Deeply affected by his multiple murders, Gesualdo suffered in isolation and from his mental condition.  Three weeks after the death of his son from his first marriage, he died in isolation at his castle Gesualdo in Avellino, though some believe he was killed by his wife.

Music

Gesualdo was believed to have been affected in his music from his psychological state.  His music seems to mimic the extreme states of mind in his condition.  This development was seen in its extreme form, where inner turmoil translated into his music.

Gesualdo’s music can be seen in sacred vocal music, secular vocal music, and instrumental music.  Between his “Tenebrae Responsoria” and six published books of madrigals which spanned the years of 1594 and 1611, these represent his most famous compositions.  The former represents his most famous sacred composition, which represented chromatic changes and sharp dissonance of the madrigals.

Gesualdo also left a large amount of music in manuscript.  These manuscripts left an impression when they were found, as they offer some extremely well received compositions to Gesualdo’s repertoire.  Other forms not found in Gesualdo’s normal repertoire were used here as well, which is the subject of study for some academic figures.

Chromatic Music

Gesualdo’s format mixes slow chromaticism with quicker tempo passes of characterized by diatonic format.  With focus given to individual words, Gesualdo’s focus mixed the text with the music beautifully.  This is seen in regards to a phrase, in which in some cases all twelves notes within the chromatic scale were used, in different voices.

The overwhelming sadness of Gesualdo’s music characterized the chromatic music he employed.  Chromatic tones allowed the expressiveness of the poetry to be heightened through his music.  In this Gesualdo was able to capture the sheer pain and expressiveness he lived with through his music.

He was also able to mix the elements of his music.  Gesualdo often expressed not just the words but the overall mood.  Additionally, chromaticism was used in regards to melody and harmony, utilizing both dynamics in his music.  According to chromatic tones, many triadic combinations were arranged non-traditionally.

His lasting impact of chromaticism was experienced differently by some.  It was certainly not new at the time, in respect to the polyphonists and the Florentine Camerata.  His exaggerated use of chromaticism was seen to stretch the limits of the older style.  His chromatic madrigals and motets were unequivocally extremely passionate, which is what Gesualdo is known for.  As a result, he is regarded as a genius who has not received his due respect or to others as a bizarre experimenter.

Conclusion

Gesualdo can be seen as a human being of many unfortunate events.  Characterized by a dark past and a family life full of turmoil, he suffered in many ways.  Captured by his depression, his later years were certainly marked by his lessened mental state.

Additionally Gesualdo will be known for the murders he has committed.  With at least two confirmed murders, he remains as a notorious example of murder in the history of music.  The depression that likely resulted from the guilt of these murders, failed marriages, and loss of his children provided for the turmoil that he experienced throughout his life.

Musically Gesualdo is greatly known for his chromatic and expressive madrigals.  While it was not heard for much time to come, and to many it still has not received its due praise, his musical accomplishments will likely be seen in future years as appreciation for them is heightened.  This is already seen in the tributes and music that is based on the music of Gesualdo.