Thanks for having me, Danielle! Loved our conversation — 12 years after that Met article! — and I'm so happy to have learned more about the town of Gesualdo and Carlo's castle through this episode. 💙
You’re in for a treat! Lush, cinematic music evoking different sites and festivals around Rome. The Pines of the Appian Way, the final track on that album, chokes me up every single time. 🥹
Wow, this was absolutely fascinating! I read something about Gesualdo when I visited the Sansevero Chapel, but loved this deep dive into his life and music.
Along sort of the same lines, have you visited the Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo in Lazio?
So glad you liked it! Gesualdo is a complicated topic, I wasn’t sure how it would land, but after I found the Herzog documentary I couldn’t resist it anymore. I visited Bomarzo ages ago when I didn’t really know what I was seeing so I definitely need to return!
A tour guide told me that Prince Vicino Orsini, who commissioned it, fought with the Farnese family's army and then retreated to the solitude of Bomarzo and created the sculpture park. Some say it was dedicated to his late wife Giulia Farnese, who was painted by Raphael and died of an unknown cause at the age of 50. Seems like he may have been another tortured soul living around the same period. I wrote a short piece about the Sacro Bosco for Nuvo, but it may be worth digging deeper. https://nuvomagazine.com/daily-edit/sacro-bosco-a-mystical-sculpture-park-near-rome
Thanks for having me, Danielle! Loved our conversation — 12 years after that Met article! — and I'm so happy to have learned more about the town of Gesualdo and Carlo's castle through this episode. 💙
Which Italian composer should we talk about next?
If you want to map a musical walking tour of Rome, how about Ottorino Respighi and his Roman Trilogy? 😃
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kQ5VGdatWnLgDy_0NQ3aMRdRnu71oowls&si=8ZBS0-57eQqplREE
I don’t know who that is and I haven’t clicked on the link yet, but YES!
You’re in for a treat! Lush, cinematic music evoking different sites and festivals around Rome. The Pines of the Appian Way, the final track on that album, chokes me up every single time. 🥹
Wow, this was absolutely fascinating! I read something about Gesualdo when I visited the Sansevero Chapel, but loved this deep dive into his life and music.
Along sort of the same lines, have you visited the Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo in Lazio?
So glad you liked it! Gesualdo is a complicated topic, I wasn’t sure how it would land, but after I found the Herzog documentary I couldn’t resist it anymore. I visited Bomarzo ages ago when I didn’t really know what I was seeing so I definitely need to return!
A tour guide told me that Prince Vicino Orsini, who commissioned it, fought with the Farnese family's army and then retreated to the solitude of Bomarzo and created the sculpture park. Some say it was dedicated to his late wife Giulia Farnese, who was painted by Raphael and died of an unknown cause at the age of 50. Seems like he may have been another tortured soul living around the same period. I wrote a short piece about the Sacro Bosco for Nuvo, but it may be worth digging deeper. https://nuvomagazine.com/daily-edit/sacro-bosco-a-mystical-sculpture-park-near-rome
Oh wow, visiting by candlelight, I want to do that!
They're actually hosting a special evening there on August 30th! The park will be open until midnight with guided tours and apericena.
Gah I wish I could be there! Are you going?
I think I'll try to go!