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Carlo Gesualdo

Carlo Gesualdo (March 8 1566 - September 8, 1613) was an Italian nobleman, lutenist and composer.

Gesualdo was born in Naples. He became notorious when in 1590 he murdered his first wife and her lover. He subsequently married Leonora d'Este and moved to Ferrara where he was influenced by Luzzasco Luzzaschi. Later he retired to his castle at Gesualdo, where he suffered from severe depression.

Gesualdo is best known for his madrigalss, of which he published six books from 1594 to 1611. They are noted for their harmonic and dramatic originality. He also published three books of sacred music.

He is the subject of Alfred Schnittke's opera Gesualdo (1995).