BrEMF – Breaking the Rules – The Marian Consort, Finbar Lynch (actor)

The tortured soul of Prince Carlo Gesualdo (1560-1613) is revealed in his extraordinary compositions that express his pangs of contrition for the murder of his wife. It doesn’t make easy listening. The six well matched, perfectly blended young voices of the Marian Consort probably achieved sounds better than Gesualdo himself ever heard. Their pure tone and clear articulation transfigured the unique acoustic of St Bart’s.

These anguished harmonies were punctuated by Finbar Lynch’s measured narration. Avoiding crass melodrama, he quietly confided in the audience as he confessed his crimes, giving us a helpful context to enhance this very beautiful music.

St Bartholomew’s Church, 3 November 2013

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