The story of Carlo Gesualdo, Renaissance Italy's most enigmatic composer, unravels with each twist and turn in this hauntingly beautiful theatrical production, "Death of Gesualdo". The show's creators have woven a dark tapestry around the musician's life, from his childlike fascination with music to his descent into madness and murder.
As the story unfolds, audiences are transported back in time, witnessing the composer's growth into a tortured soul, marked by an atmosphere of flagellation and suspicion of witchcraft. The dimly lit church setting, courtesy of St Martin-in-the-Fields' esteemed halls, only adds to the sense of foreboding that pervades every moment.
The production boasts impressive choreography from Will Tuckett, with actors moving in stylised gestures that evoke tableaux vivants. Arthur Oliver's costumes seem to transport viewers into 17th-century Italian Renaissance rooms, complete with ornate furnishings and lavish fabrics.
However, it is the music – Gesualdo's own compositions – that proves to be the true masterstroke of this production. The Gesualdo Six, an a cappella vocal group, deliver breathtaking performances that showcase their precision, tone, and emotional depth. Their voices weaver a spell, one that is both captivating and unsettling.
As the show hurtles towards its climax, the juxtaposition of beauty and horror becomes increasingly pronounced. The actors' performances are matched only by the singers', who seem to be channeling something otherworldly through their music. Even when Gesualdo emerges from the shadows, his ghost-like form illuminated solely by a faint light, the audience is left reeling.
"Death of Gesualdo" is a must-see production that defies easy categorization. It is both a historical drama and an experiential work of art, with each element expertly woven together to create something truly unique. For those who dare to immerse themselves in its world, the results can be nothing short of mesmerizing – a testament to the enduring power of Gesualdo's music, even 400 years on.
As the story unfolds, audiences are transported back in time, witnessing the composer's growth into a tortured soul, marked by an atmosphere of flagellation and suspicion of witchcraft. The dimly lit church setting, courtesy of St Martin-in-the-Fields' esteemed halls, only adds to the sense of foreboding that pervades every moment.
The production boasts impressive choreography from Will Tuckett, with actors moving in stylised gestures that evoke tableaux vivants. Arthur Oliver's costumes seem to transport viewers into 17th-century Italian Renaissance rooms, complete with ornate furnishings and lavish fabrics.
However, it is the music – Gesualdo's own compositions – that proves to be the true masterstroke of this production. The Gesualdo Six, an a cappella vocal group, deliver breathtaking performances that showcase their precision, tone, and emotional depth. Their voices weaver a spell, one that is both captivating and unsettling.
As the show hurtles towards its climax, the juxtaposition of beauty and horror becomes increasingly pronounced. The actors' performances are matched only by the singers', who seem to be channeling something otherworldly through their music. Even when Gesualdo emerges from the shadows, his ghost-like form illuminated solely by a faint light, the audience is left reeling.
"Death of Gesualdo" is a must-see production that defies easy categorization. It is both a historical drama and an experiential work of art, with each element expertly woven together to create something truly unique. For those who dare to immerse themselves in its world, the results can be nothing short of mesmerizing – a testament to the enduring power of Gesualdo's music, even 400 years on.
I just watched "Death of Gesualdo" and I'm still reeling from it. The production is so immersive, you feel like you're trapped in 17th-century Italy with Carlo Gesualdo 
. The music is insane, I mean, who knew someone could create such hauntingly beautiful sounds? The a cappella group is on point 
. And the way they wove together history and art is just genius. It's like you're witnessing Gesualdo's descent into madness right before your eyes 
. But what really gets me is how the show makes you question what's real and what's not. Is it just a dark tale of murder and madness, or something more? 
The way they've woven his life story together is so complex, it's like trying to unravel a skein of yarn while watching an old VHS tape on repeat 
. And those costumes! They're like stepping into a Renaissance-era dollhouse, minus the dolls, obvs 
. The Gesualdo Six are absolute perfection, their voices weave this eerie spell that'll leave you sleeping with the lights on 
. The music is insane, I mean who knew his compositions could be so captivating and unsettling at the same time? 
. Their performance had me on edge, like something was off but also somehow beautiful... it's like they're speaking to you from beyond the grave 
. Anyway, if you haven't checked this out yet, DO yourself a favor and immerse yourself in "Death of Gesualdo" - trust me, you won't regret it 
i'm not really sure what to make of it, but the way they've woven all these stories together is mind-blowing... and that choir, though... 
. Also, the way they juxtaposed beauty and horror was kinda on-the-nose 
. Still, it was a unique experience that definitely left me feeling something... just not entirely convinced 
.
OMG I just saw this musical about Carlo Gesualdo and it was SOOOO intense!!! The way they wove all these dark emotions into his life story is like... whoa. And can we talk about the music?!? 
! Did you know that Carlo Gesualdo was actually a pretty prolific composer? Like, he wrote over 50 madrigals during his lifetime! 
But what's crazy is that only about 5-6 of them have survived to this day 
. I'm talking some serious Renaissance vibes 
They were like stepping into a time machine 
! But what really got me was the way the music and choreography came together to create this haunting atmosphere 
️. It's like they say, "the show must go on"... but in this case, it's more like, "the show must haunt you" 
I just saw this production and I'm still reeling from it! The way they wove together Gesualdo's life story with his hauntingly beautiful music was pure magic 
. The dimly lit church setting added so much to the atmosphere, and those a cappella performances by The Gesualdo Six gave me chills 
.
His music though, oh man... it's like someone took all the emotions and put them into notes 
The performers did an amazing job, especially that a cappella group. Their voices were so hauntingly beautiful 
_ /_/ \ ( o.o ) > ^ <
its all just sooo immersive & captivating... trust me u won't regret watchin it! 
I just watched "Death of Gesualdo" and it was like nothing I've ever experienced before! The way the show weaves together music, dance, and drama is just magical 
. Carlo Gesualdo's story is so hauntingly beautiful, it made me feel all the emotions from start to finish 
. The way the music was played live on stage was like wow... I felt like I was in 17th century Italy or something 
. The only thing that would've made it better is if the show was live-streamed so more people can experience it 
. Anyway, I'm still reeling from it all and can't stop thinking about it 
!