SECRET OPERA MAY

Reveal: Secret Opera 1 - 4 May

WHAT YOU HEARD: Gesualdo

Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa - Prince of Venosa and Count of Conza (1566-1614) was one of music’s most unique composers, admired to this day for his adventurous harmonic innovation and word painting. Writing mostly for a cappella choirs (without accompaniment), his setting of liturgical text was both unusual and controversial.

Added to this, his personal life was dramatic and violent. Finding his wife, Donna Maria d'Avalos, in fragrante delicto with the Duke of Andria he had them both murdered, mutilated their corpses and had their remains hung from the balcony of his apartments. Stricken by the violence of this event he instructed his servants to repeatedly tie him down and flog his servants to repeatedly tie him down and flog him.

Fleeing the repercussions of that night he returned to his estates and built a formidable ensemble of singers and instrumentalists dedicated to the performance of his music. Increasingly depressed and obsessive he died in 1614 at the age of 47.

This Secret Opera presented the facts around the murders of his wife and her lover interspersed with some music linked in theme or drama to this event and his life.

You can access the full script of GESUALDO, by Andrew Foote here.

WHERE YOU WERE: Fremantle Prison

Secret Opera unfolded in the Main Cell Block of Western Australia's most iconic heritage building. The performance took place in Division 1, the oldest part of the prison, which still features its original architecture.

Its walls hold a deep and complex history - offering a powerful and atmospheric backdrop for this unique musical experience.

We hope you found the setting enriched your experience of Gesauldo’s works.

WHO YOU SAW

Conductor and Director Andrew Foote