Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Craig Armstrong
Gesualdo (2007)
- Chester Music Ltd (World)
Commissioned by Scottish Opera
Gesualdo was commissioned by Scottish Opera as part of their Five:15 series in the 2007/08 season
- 2.1.1.1/1.1.0+btbn.0/2perc/pf/str(1.1.2.2.1)
- Soprano, Counter Tenor, 3 Tenors, Baritone
- 20 min
- Libretto (English) by Ian Rankin
- English
Programme Note
CAST
Gesualdo - tenor
Antonio - counter-tenor
Maria - soprano
Three Servants
Gesualdo composed some of the most sublime music ever heard and yet he was able to murder his wife, her lover, her father and his own child in a brutal murder.
A bedroom. Gesualdo and his servant Antonio repeatedly stab the bodies of his wife Maria and her lover Fabrizio. Three servatns remove Fabrizio's body. Everyone knew about the affair except the husband. Gesualdo is convinced that God will forgive him. When pressed, Antonio observes that Fabrizio's face is similar to Gesualdo's younger son. Gesualdo orders him to fetch his son, ignoring Antonio's pleas that there has been enough killing.
The Chapel. Antonio flagellates Gesualdo as penance. Gesualdo is wracked with guilt. As Antonio leaves he sees what pain his master is in and fears the killing will continue.
The ghost of Maria appears. She asks Antonio not to kill his master so that his suffering will be long and painful. Gesualdo questions how so much sacred music can flow from a profane deed.
Gesualdo's prayer ends. He wants Antonio to kill him. Antonio is in terrible confusion - he does not want to kill again, Maria does not want him to, but Gesualdo's second wife Leonora does. If he kills Gesualdo his music will also die. Gesualdo holds Antonio's hand and draws the knife closer, calling for witness.
Gesualdo - tenor
Antonio - counter-tenor
Maria - soprano
Three Servants
Gesualdo composed some of the most sublime music ever heard and yet he was able to murder his wife, her lover, her father and his own child in a brutal murder.
A bedroom. Gesualdo and his servant Antonio repeatedly stab the bodies of his wife Maria and her lover Fabrizio. Three servatns remove Fabrizio's body. Everyone knew about the affair except the husband. Gesualdo is convinced that God will forgive him. When pressed, Antonio observes that Fabrizio's face is similar to Gesualdo's younger son. Gesualdo orders him to fetch his son, ignoring Antonio's pleas that there has been enough killing.
The Chapel. Antonio flagellates Gesualdo as penance. Gesualdo is wracked with guilt. As Antonio leaves he sees what pain his master is in and fears the killing will continue.
The ghost of Maria appears. She asks Antonio not to kill his master so that his suffering will be long and painful. Gesualdo questions how so much sacred music can flow from a profane deed.
Gesualdo's prayer ends. He wants Antonio to kill him. Antonio is in terrible confusion - he does not want to kill again, Maria does not want him to, but Gesualdo's second wife Leonora does. If he kills Gesualdo his music will also die. Gesualdo holds Antonio's hand and draws the knife closer, calling for witness.