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Donald Macleod looks at the life and music of Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, notorious for the murder of his first wife and cousin, Maria d'Avalos. In his earliest extant composition, he pleads for divine mercy for his misdeeds. This was written several years before committing a brutal murder to defend his honour. Until the death of his older brother, Carlo Gesualdo was always destined for a career in the Church. But on becoming the heir to the house of Gesualdo he married his beautiful cousin, Maria d'Avalos, said to be the most beautiful woman in Naples. Later, learning of her infidelity, he was obliged to act to preserve the honour of his house. Donald recounts some of the horrendous events of that night in 1590 when Gesualdo - a man passionately interested in music and in hunting - would deal with his wife and her lover.

Moro lasso (transcribed by Tönu Kaljuste)
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra

Ne reminiscaris; In te Domine speravi
La Compagnia del Madrigale

Baci soave e cari; Quanto ha di dolce Amore; Mentre Madonna il lasso fianco posa;
Ahi, troppo saggia nell'erar
Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam
Harry van der Kamp, director

Com'esser può ch'io viva se m'uccidi; Son sì belle le rose; Bell'angioletta da le vaghe piume
Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam
Harry van der Kamp, director

Caro amoroso neo; Ma se tale ha costei; Se cosi dolce e il duolo; Ma se averra ch'io moia
Delitiae Musicae
Marco Longhini, director

Canzon francese del principe
Fabio Antonio Falcone, harpsichord

Sento che nel partire
Kassiopeia Quintet

O Crux benedicta (arranged by Erkki Sven Tüür)
Tallinnn Chamber Orchestra
Tönu Kaljuste, conductor.