McNeff, Stephen - Monsters (of the Sacred Grove)

Enter the "Park of Monsters" in the Garden of Bomarzo created by the Duke Pier Francesco Orsini to cope with his grief at the death of his wife Giulia. See the fantastic world of grotesque sculptures and small buildings located amongst the vegetation and volcanic rock and wonder.... 

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself - and monsters" Richard Herring

The design of the hidden gardens has been attributed to the architect Pirro Ligorio, with sculptures by Simone Moschino. The park was not intended to please, but to astonish. and like many Mannerist works it's reputation stemmed from the many larger than life sculptures and small buildings located in the natural vegetation. During the 19th and 20th centuries the gardens fell into neglect and became wildly overgrown until being brought to wider attention again in 1938 by the surrealist painter, Salvador Dali. 

The nine movements forming Monsters depict the romance and strangeness of the garden, thus offering a musical glimpse into a fantastic world that was hidden for so long.

Grade: AB 7-8   US 5

Duration c: 24.00 minutes