slides

10/31/2012
Where’s Gesualdo?
Madrigals III
objectives
• Gesualdo
– the noble musician at work
• “Io Parto”
– the “late” madrigal
• vocal music in Ferrara
Don Carlo Gesualdo: Prince Mad Man of Venosa
• Nobility
• W.W.A.D.
– What Would Aristotle Do
• In flagrante delecto
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10/31/2012
Don Carlo Gesualdo: Prince Mad Man of Venosa
• “Io parto,” e non piu
disse
• opposites
• chromaticism
• anxiety
Carlo Gesualdo, “Io parto: e non più dissi
“Io parto” e non più dissi che il dolore
Privò di vita il core.
Allor proruppe in pianto e disse Clori
Con interrotti omèi:
“Dunque ai dolori io resto . Ah, non fia
mai
Ch’io non languisca in dolorosi lai.”
Morto fui, vivo son che i spirti spenti
tornare in vita a sì pietosi accenti.
“I depart.” I said no more, for grief
robbed my heart of life.
Then Clori broke out in tears and said,
with interrupted cries of “Alas”:
“Hence in pain I remain. Ah, may I
never
cease to pine away in sad laments.”
Dead I was, now I am alive, for my spent spirits
return to life at the sound of such pitiable accents.
Don Carlo Gesualdo: Prince Mad Man of Venosa
• “Io parto,” e non piu
disse
• opposites
• chromaticism
• anxiety
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10/31/2012
Carlo Gesualdo, Motet: Plange quasi virgo
[response for Holy Saturday]
Resp.: Plange quasi virgo, plebs mea: ululate, pastores, in cinere et cilicio: Quia venit
dies Domini magna, et amara valde.
R. Mourn as a virgin, O my people: ye shepherds, howl in ashes and sackcloth: For the Day of the Lord is come, great and exceedingly bitter. V. Accingite vos sacerdotes, et plangite, ministri altaris, aspergite vos cinere. V. Gird yourselves, O ye priests and mourn, ye ministers of the altar, sprinkle yourselves with ashes. Ferrara (under the Este family)
• Chromaticism/Vicentino
• Mix of voices/instruments (see W/T 40)
• Concerto delle donne
– Luzzasco Luzzaschi
Luzzasco Luzzaschi, O dolcezz’ amarissime d’Amore
O dolcezz’amarissime d’Amore,
Quest’è pur il mio cor,
Quest’è pur il mio ben,
che più languisco;
Che fa meco il dolor, se ne O bitter sweetness of love!
This is indeed my heart,
This must be my blessing –
that I languish evermore:
What is pain to me if I enjoy it?
gioisco?
Fuggite Amore, amanti! Flee from Love, lovers! Friendly Love,
Amore amico, O che fiero menico! All’hor che vi lusinga, all’hor
che ride, . . .
O what a fierce enemy!
While he entices you, while he smiles, . . . 3