EIF 26: Death of Gesualdo

Outstanding vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six explores the chilling music and life story of composer Carlo Gesualdo in a multi-media concert piece.

What do we do with the art of monstrous people? The 16th-century composer Carlo Gesualdo is infamous for murdering his wife and her lover, while also being remembered for his dissonant musical language.  

Director Bill Barclay has chosen some of Gesualdo’s darkest music, including Tenebrae (a mass for the composer’s own death), to create a fascinating but chilling portrait of the composer. The Gesualdo Six sing with ‘precision, pure tone and nuanced expression’ (The Guardian), joined by six actor-dancers to further illustrate the music through Renaissance iconography, puppetry and sinister tableaux vivants.  

Death of Gesualdo contrasts beauty and monstrosity in a completely unique experience.  According to a recent five-star review, 'the staging, the singing and acting are sublime' (The Times).

While the pristine sounds of this concert can be enjoyed throughout the hall, please note that side seats will have less direct views of some of the theatrical elements. Any seats where we anticipate a partially restricted view are indicated on the seating plan.

Presented by Edinburgh International Festival