Review: "The Australian Chamber Singers", directed by Dominic Harvey. Canberra Church of England Girls Grammar School Chapel, Saturday May 31 1997. Reviewed by Tony Magee

Carlo Gesualdo

Italian composer and murderer (both occupations emotionally interlinked), Don Carlo Gesualdo, is the subject of many a true and apocryphal tale. His musical output however, was certainly one of the high points of the late Italian Renaissance. 

The works of Gesualdo are rarely performed and this was a great opportunity to hear some sacred music from this composer known chiefly for his remarkable madrigals.

Dominic Harvey

The Tenebrae Responsaries for Holy Saturday which depict Christ's betrayal and death, were written for performance during Holy Week and the Canberra Chamber Singers under the direction of Dominic Harvey delivered a version of extreme beauty and passion, exploring the typical patterns of chromatic harmony with confidence and yet at the same time delicacy of tone to really bring out the full beauty and intensity of Gesualdo's harmonies.

When listening to this music, one hears sounds which seem almost 20th century in style and it's easy to see why Stravinsky was so fascinated by Gesualdo's music, being moved to orchestrate and complete some of his works.

A moving concert of lamentations and a luxurious opportunity to hear this excellent choir twice in one week (see CSO review).

Originally published in Muse Magazine (Canberra), July 1997