Morte...

There is the word that haunts nearly every one of Gesualdo's madrigals, "Morte," that is, "Death."

In 1600, his son, little Don Alfonso Gesualdo died, aged four.

Grief-stricken and riddled with the kind of guilt only possible for the homicidal nephew of a Catholic saint, Prince Gesualdo published his final works, poingnant settings of the Easter Passion week masses, and madrigal books five and six, his most dramatic and unorthodox works, works that have astonished generations of musicians.

The Prince of Venosa craved death, not as a poetic concept but as an end to his inner torment.

The Prince of Venosa sensed he was cursed with the wrath of God, and built chapels and convents in Gesualdo in hopes of saving his soul.

In the Cappuccin convent at Gesualdo, the Don Carlo had a painting placed above the altar showing himself and his wife, Eleonora, kneeling at the gaping mouth of hell, looking up at the risen Christ for pardon of his sins.

At Don Carlo's side is his uncle, Saint Carlo Borromeo.

Floating above the abyss with cherubic wings is an infant, probably little Don Alfonso.

In 1613, "Morte" visited the house of Gesualdo again, and the heir, Don Emmanuele Gesualdo died in a hunting accident.

With no heirs, Don Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa died in September, 1613.