Carlo Gesualdo
Chromatic madrigals — prince and murderer
A prince who murdered his wife and her lover, then composed madrigals of extreme chromatic daring. His late works anticipate harmonic language that would not reappear for three centuries.
Key works
- Madrigals, Book VI1611— Chromaticism centuries ahead of its time
- Tenebrae Responsories1611— Holy Week music of anguished beauty