Death of Gesualdo is an unsettlingly captivating work that weaves together the tumultuous life of Renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo with his hauntingly beautiful music. The production, created by director Bill Barclay and vocal group the Gesualdo Six, masterfully interweaves the dark story with Gesualdo's experimental compositions to create a spellbinding narrative that draws the audience in.
The show begins on Gesualdo's deathbed, but as it unfolds in flashback, we see him as a young man coming of age amidst a world of passion and horror. The puppet-like portrayal of his childhood self adds a haunting touch, while Markus Weinfurter's nuanced performance brings depth to the role of the tortured composer.
Weinfurter is joined by five other talented actors, each playing pivotal roles in Gesualdo's life - including his wives, a jester, and a sinister cardinal. Choreographed by Will Tuckett, their stylized movements create striking tableaux vivants that underscore the drama unfolding around them. Arthur Oliver's intricate costumes bring to life the opulent world of 17th-century Italy.
As the story builds towards its climax, the lighting design, which relies on handheld LEDs carried by performers, creates an eerie atmosphere, bathing the actors in a golden glow reminiscent of oil paintings. The final moments are particularly chilling, as Gesualdo's emotions boil over into a frenzy of screams and terror.
At the heart of this production is the breathtaking singing of the Gesualdo Six. Their precision, tone, and nuanced expression create a sonic tapestry that is both beautiful and unsettling. Even with an understudy in one of their ranks, they deliver outstanding performances that bring the dark music of Gesualdo to life.
Throughout the show, the line between beauty and horror is constantly blurred, mirroring the composer's own complex inner world. Death of Gesualdo is a thought-provoking work that invites audiences to confront the darker aspects of human nature - all set against a backdrop of stunningly beautiful music that seems to emanate from another planet.
The show begins on Gesualdo's deathbed, but as it unfolds in flashback, we see him as a young man coming of age amidst a world of passion and horror. The puppet-like portrayal of his childhood self adds a haunting touch, while Markus Weinfurter's nuanced performance brings depth to the role of the tortured composer.
Weinfurter is joined by five other talented actors, each playing pivotal roles in Gesualdo's life - including his wives, a jester, and a sinister cardinal. Choreographed by Will Tuckett, their stylized movements create striking tableaux vivants that underscore the drama unfolding around them. Arthur Oliver's intricate costumes bring to life the opulent world of 17th-century Italy.
As the story builds towards its climax, the lighting design, which relies on handheld LEDs carried by performers, creates an eerie atmosphere, bathing the actors in a golden glow reminiscent of oil paintings. The final moments are particularly chilling, as Gesualdo's emotions boil over into a frenzy of screams and terror.
At the heart of this production is the breathtaking singing of the Gesualdo Six. Their precision, tone, and nuanced expression create a sonic tapestry that is both beautiful and unsettling. Even with an understudy in one of their ranks, they deliver outstanding performances that bring the dark music of Gesualdo to life.
Throughout the show, the line between beauty and horror is constantly blurred, mirroring the composer's own complex inner world. Death of Gesualdo is a thought-provoking work that invites audiences to confront the darker aspects of human nature - all set against a backdrop of stunningly beautiful music that seems to emanate from another planet.
the way they wove together the story and music was so masterful, like a work of art in itself 
. the lighting design with those handheld leds is still haunting me 
and the singing by the gesualdo six? 
perfection. but what really got to me was how the production didn't shy away from exploring the darker aspects of human nature... it's like, so thought-provoking 
. i mean, carlo gesualdo's life was literally a twisted horror story, and yet this show makes you feel all the emotions 
. anyhoo, if u haven't seen it yet, u need to get on that ASAP! 
and the choreography is super stylized i loved how the lighting design created this eerie atmosphere that made me feel like i was in 17th century italy 
anyway u should def check it out if ur into music & drama 
. The puppet-like portrayal of him as a kid is SO unsettling 
, and Markus Weinfurter's performance as the tortured composer is absolutely mind-blowing 
But in the best way possible, you know? It's like they're saying this is what happens when you're a genius, but also kinda messed up 
. The singing by the Gesualdo Six is insane! They're like a supergroup of angels with souls 
.
I'm not sure about this 'deathbed' start tho, feels like it's gonna put the whole thing in a weird direction. and is it just me or are they pullin' that 'handheld LEDs' lighting trick just coz it's trendy? 
I'm all about that 'beauty and horror' vibe, but wow, this show delivers 
And can we talk about those singing vocals? The Gesualdo Six is giving me ALL the feels... especially when they hit those high notes 
... and I think that's what makes it so captivating. The music alone would be enough, but add to that the story, the acting, the choreography... it's like they've created something truly out of this world 
. It's like they tapped into this dark energy that's hard to shake off 
. Anyway, I think it's worth checking out if you're a fan of experimental music or just looking for something new 
. Anyways, I'd totally recommend this show to other parents who want to introduce their kids to some really thought-provoking art 