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"Farinelli"
is a lush drama
about artistic ambition,
sexual intrigue
and heated rivalries,
surrounding a historical
figure who was castrated
at the age of 10
to achieve his perfection.
Farinelli was the
most famous singer
of his century,
arguably one of
the greatest singers
of all time. He
enjoyed a quasi-mythical
status in his own
life-time, for his
exceptional voice,
and for his androgynous
beauty. It has been
recorded that his
range covered more
than three and a
half octaves. Some
accounts state that
he could produce
250 notes in a single
breath and sustain
a note for more
than a minute.
The 18th Century
castrati raised
the art of singing
beyond human limits,
due to the combination
of a child's fresh
voice, the vocal
power of a man,
and the high register
of a woman. They
won adoration similar
to that of the rock
stars of our time.
18th Century groupies
wore medallions
bearing the portraits
of their favorite
castrati.
The golden age of
castrati lasted
from the beginning
of the 17th Century
to the dawn of the
19th Century. The
last castrato, Alessandro
Moreschi died in
1922.
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