Carlo Gesualdo was a prince and landholder in Venosa in southeastern Italy. Around 1588 his wife began an affair with a gentleman in the vicinity. In 1590 Gesualdo, found the pair in bed together, stabbed them both, and hung their corpses in front of his castle for all to see. The story was retold repeatedly by poets of the day in a sixteenth-century equivalent of headline news. Was Gesualdo really a renegade as well as a murderer? Was he even a “modernist” of his time?
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Performance Date: Sun, Jan 31
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Categories: Music, People Are Talking!, World Music
Carlo Gesualdo was a prince and landholder in Venosa in southeastern Italy. Around 1588 his wife began an affair with a gentleman in the vicinity. In 1590 Gesualdo, found the pair in bed together, stabbed them both, and hung their corpses in front of his castle for all to see. The story was retold repeatedly by poets of the day in a sixteenth-century equivalent of headline news. Was Gesualdo really a renegade as well as a murderer? Was he even a “modernist” of his time?
Leslie Stainton covers the first night of UMS Night School, where she learned the meaning of “maverick.” VIDEO interview with UMS Head Usher Dennis Carter as he prepares to usher at the Einstein on the Beach preview performances.
Editor’s Note: UMS will present “A Night in Treme:The Musical Majesty of New Orleans,” a night of New Orleans jazz featuring the Rebirth Brass Band, this Friday, November 11 at Hill Auditorium. The following note …
![People Are Talking [and Video Booth]: Einstein on the Beach at Power Center](http://umslobby.org/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium-old/scripts/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/EOB-5-by-T-Charles-Erickson1.jpg&w=80&h=80&zc=1)
Tell us what you thought! This is the place to comment on the performance and talk to other people about what you saw and heard. Don’t forget to click the option to be notified when …
thisisourmusic: There are so many clarinets on stage right now. #UMSlobby »
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I confess that we were disappointed. We'd heard a choral group in Durban on our visit to South Africa (some years ago) and they were much better that this Mambozo group. I would have enjoyed a different selection of music and less microphone audio. Yes, the group was talented, and the performance was entertaining, but we could not resist noting that we've heard better South African music.
I too was somewhat underwhelmed by this performance. I didn't feel like there was much energy or momentum keeping the concert going.
I enjoyed hearing Lady Smith again. I saw them some time ago at the DSO. There capella sound was so smooth and uplifting.
We very much enjoyed the concert Sunday afternoon. I've seen them several times previously (once years ago at Hill IIRC) and while they are always entertaining, they seemed even more relaxed and humorous than before. I'm always amazed how music that is in another language can be so emotionally affecting. Who needs words to communicate meaning?
OT though, you really want to call your site UM slobby?
I've been listening to LBM since they first appeared on a Paul Simon album Graceland in 1986 and have always enjoyed them. I was particularly impressed this week with the grace and humor with which they approach life.
South Africa is a country that has known (and continues to experience) much sorrow and heartache. As struggle with our school district's problems with budget and a declining state economy it's good to remember how minor our problems are in light of what so many other folks deal with on a daily basis. May we find the ability to be as hopeful and uplifting in the midst of our troubles as LMB.
Wow, I had an amazing time at this concert!
The music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo has an infectious joy that is undeniable. I find this to be even more amazing considering South Africa's scarred past with slavery, apartheid, poverty, and AIDS. It's encouraging and uplifting to see the joy of this music rise up out of the circumstances around it. In my view this is largely due to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its impact on Joseph Shabalala and the members of LBM, and partly the large importance of family and love in South Africa.
I was amazed and surprised at how much of their dancing they showcased at their concert. It was almost as much a part of their performance as their singing. I was absolutely blown away by the agility of all members, old and young, and their synchronization. It really says a lot about their commitment to their craft when they are able to kick up well over their heads while still remaining perfectly in tune. Brilliant.
One reoccurring theme of their performance that was truly amazing was their carefree attitude and the spontaneous individualism among the group dynamic. Each member would joyfully leap or play off the melody in a tiny vocal solo seemingly whenever they felt lead by the moment. That was one of the most fun and enjoyable elements of the concert outside of the beautiful music; their joy in singing and dancing with themselves and for all of us showed through their love of singing and of Africa and of God without having a need to perform. This was truly an amazing and enjoyable concert!
Thank you so much for your efforts in bringing the best artists to Ann Arbor. I am always amazed at the musicians you all are able to bring in. I was also able to attend the Bobby Mcferrin, Chick Corea, and Jack DeJohnette concert a couple years ago (wow, fantastic), and the Messiah a couple times (always a pleasure). I just want to say thanks to all the UMS staff for the worthwhile effort they put forth in making these events happen. THANKS!