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The Choir of St James’ King Street,\u00a0will mark the launch of their 2013 season with Metamorphosis,<\/em> a concert featuring a range of Renaissance and contemporary pieces. Directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones, the programme\u00a0will centre on the work of Carlo Gesualdo, marking the 400th<\/sup> anniversary of his death. The beauty of \u00a0Gesualdo’s music\u00a0is coloured by a dissonance borne of\u00a0the passion and\u00a0violence which drove him to murder his\u00a0wife and lover.<\/p>\n Alongside, are several works written by composers influenced by\u00a0Gesualdo, amongst them, Renaissance composer Josquin des Prez, and 20th century composers Igor Stravinsky, Spanish composer Crist\u00f3bal de Morales, and St James\u2019\u00a0chorister Brooke Shelley.<\/p>\n Despite his\u00a0dark temperament, Gesualdo was\u00a0one of the most gifted composers of Renaissance times. The four Gesualdo motets being performed have religious themes\u00a0full of potent emotions in intense harmonies. Three of these are set as prayers to Mary, while O vos omnes<\/em> is based on the Biblical theme of personal suffering.<\/p>\n Stravinksy\u2019s careful reconstruction of three of Gesualdo\u2019s motets pays homage to the original pieces, said to create a fusion of the two composers. Three of Stravinsky\u2019s own motets will also be performed, which convey differing sacred themes to startling effect.<\/p>\n Josquin\u2019s chanson Mille regrets<\/em> is a hauntingly exquisite setting for four voices. The piece portrays lovers parting, and heartrendingly conveys the troubled mindset of the lover bidding farewell to his beloved, a setting that has inspired many composers over the centuries.<\/p>\n