Gesualdo: Chronology

Events in the Life of Don Carlo Gesualdo
3-8-1557(?)	Birth of Don Carlo Gesualdo to Don Fabrizio Gesualdo, Duke of Venosa and Geronima Borromeo, sister of Saint Carlo Borromeo.
1585	Death of DCG's elder brother, Luigi, in an equestrian accident, making DCG heir to the title and estate of the house of Gesualdo.
1586	DCG married to his first cousin, Donna Maria d'Avalos, daughter of Don Carlo d'Avalos, prince of Montesarchio. At the age of 21, Donna Maria was already widowed twice. Her first husband, Federico Carafa, was rumored to have died suddenly "forse per aver troppo reiterare con quella i congiungementi carnali", i.e., "excessive connubial bliss."
1588	Birth of a son, Don Emmanuele Gesualdo.
1588-Easter	DCG begins a friendship with the mad poet Torquato Tasso, who dedicates three of his poems to DCG and sends no less than 40 madrigal lyrics to him. Eight of these madrigals are among DCG's published musical works.
10-16-1590	DCG discovers his wife and Fabrizio Carafa, Duke of Andria, "in flagrante" in the princess's bedroom in the palace of San Severo in Naples. After brutally murdering his wife and the duke, DGC flees to his castle at Gesualdo to avoid vendettas of the families of his wife and the duke.
1591	DCG's father dies, and DCG becomes the prince of Venosa.
1594	DCG's uncle, Cardinal Alfonso Gesualdo, Archibishop of Conza and Naples, arranges a marriage between DCG and Donna Eleanora d'Este, daughter of Alfonso d'Este, marchese di Montecchio and Giulia della Rovere. DEE is cousin of Alfonso II, duke of Ferrara, and Gesualdo arrives in Ferrara on February 18, and they are wed on February 21 amid great festivities at the luxurious and highly artistic court of Ferrara. At Ferrara DCG meets the avante garde composer Luzzasco Luzzaschi, who was the teacher of Girolamo Frescobaldi.
1594	1st book of madrigals, 5 voices, printed in Ferrara.
1594	2nd book of madrigals, 5 voices, printed in Ferrara.
1595	Birth of a son, Don Alfonsino Gesualdo.
1595	3rd book of madrigals, 5 voices, printed in Ferrara.
1596	4th book of madrigals, 5 voices, printed in Ferrara.
1597	Death of Duke Alfonso II, without heirs. Ferrara is annexed to the Papal States and DEE's brother Cesare d'Este becomes duke of Modena.
1600	Death of DCG's son Don Alfonsino Gesualdo at age four.
1603	Sacrae Cantiones, book one, 5 voices, printed in Naples.
1603	Sacrae Cantiones, book one, 6 and 7 voices, printed in Naples.
1611	Responsoria in six voices printed in Naples.
1611	5th book of madrigals printed in Gesualdo and reprinted in Venice.
1611	6th book of madrigals printed in Gesualdo and reprinted in Venice.
8-20-1613	Death of DCG's son Don Emanuele, 8th conte di Conza, in a hunting incident.
September 1613	Death of Don Carlo Gesualdo, prince of Venosa, apparently of an asthma attack. His will, dated September 8, leaves 40,000 ducats annually to his wife DEE, on the condition that she remain at Gesualdo.
1613	Score of the six books of madrigals printed in Genoa.
10-13-1616	Letter written by DEE on the 16th anniversary of the murders in Naples. Signed in Modena at her brother's castle and sealed "Donna Eleonora d'Este-Gesualdo, principessa di Venosa." Although the letter remains untranslated, it appears to be addressed to a high dignitary and makes mention of a financial matter concerning "Ludovico Dosi."
1626	Madrigal Book in 6 voices published in Naples and dedicated to the widow DEE. Only the 5th voice part has survived.

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Events in the Life of Don Carlo Gesualdo

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