Biography Of Carlo Gesualdo

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Carlo Gesualdo, also known as the Prince of Venosa, was an Italian composer, lutenist, and murderer. He was born on March 30, 1566 in Venosa, Italy . His parents, Fabrizio II Gesulado and Girolama Borromeo, were feudal landowners who had quite the riches to own many palaces. In addition, he had one older brother named Luigi who died in 1584 which put a burden on Gesualdo’s shoulders because he was then responsible for the success of his family heir. In terms of his musical life, Carlo Gesualdo became interested in music when he was a young boy. He learned to sing and play the lute and harpsichord. At the age of 20, he married Donna Maria d’Avalos. Apparently, she was his cousin who had two children from two former husbands prior to marrying Carlo. After they married, they soon had a son and named him Emmanuele. For a few years, Carlo focused his attention on his wife and set aside his musical hobbies. Unfortunately, his passion for music overpowered his interest in his wife. As a result, his wife had an affair with Don Fabrizio Carafa, also known as the Duke of Andria. Carafa was also married with four children. It is said that both Donna Maria and Don Fabrizio bribed their servants to keep the affair a secret. However, Carlo’s uncle, Don Guilio, soon exposed Donna Maria’s unfaithfulness to her husband. Donna Maria was advised to stop meeting with Don Fabrizio to let things settle down, but she was stubborn and continued to meet with Don Fabrizio indiscreetly. It is believed that Carlo Gesualdo staged the murders of his wife and her lover. According to old stories, Carlo pretended to be on a hunting trip only to lure Don Fabrizio to come over to his house while he was gone. Carlo then broke the bedroom door down only to find that...

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... murders and unusual rituals. Towards his death, it is said that he made arrangements to be whipped by hired ten young male servants at least 3 times day. He somehow found comfort through the beatings and preferred that they inflict extreme pain as to the point that he cannot stand or sit. According to Ross, “He found it soothing to receive blows on the temple and other parts of the body.” Overall, Gesualdo had nothing to be proud of except for his musical accomplishments. He was either betrayed or he himself ruined his own interpersonal relationships. According to Lumis, sources claim that Gesualdo had the pine trees around his house cut down so that he could see potential attacks from people especially those avenging the murders against Donna Maria and Don Fabrizio. At the time, Gesualdo could not be arrested by authorities due to his rank as the Prince of Venosa.

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