Farinelli, il Castrato
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CD Details
Composer: Riccardo BroschiComposer: George Frideric Handel
Composer: Johann Adolf Hasse
Composer: Giovanni Pergolesi
Composer: Nicola Porpora
Conductor: Christophe Rousset
Orchestra: Les Talens Lyriques
Performer: Derek Lee Ragin
Performer: Ewa Mallas-Godlewska
Edition: Music CD
Format: Soundtrack
CD Release Date: 1995-03-21
Music Label: Travelling
Soundtracks:
- Son Qual Nave Ch'agitata: Air De Arbace
- Alto Giove: Air D'Acio
- Se Al Labbro Mio Non Credi: Instrumental
- Ombra Fedele Anch'io: Air De Dario
- Artaserse: Ouverture
- Lascia Ch'io Pianga: Air De Almirena
- Cara Sposa: Air De Rinaldo
- Rinaldo: Ouverture
- Generoso Risuegliati O Core: Air De Poro
- Salve Regina
- Alto Giove: Instrumental
Music reviews of Farinelli, il Castrato
Music Review: Facts Left Out in Other Reviews
Rating: 4 Stars
Important facts to know for persons interested in purchasing this CD:
1. The CD soundtrack contains more complete arias rather than the mere portions contained in the movie (although the middle and da capo are absent in "Alto Giove".) This fact is important because the listener needs to remember that Baroque scores were merely outlines, and the singers were meant to be "co-composers"; therefore, hearing the full development of the music, and especially the vocal ornamentations and variations in the da capo, is essential for better understanding and enjoyment. This fact alone is worth the purchase of this CD.
2. The sound and quality of the two voices chosen to approximate the castrato sound are not even close; therefore, do not expect to hear a "Farinelli". Heavy vibrato (e.g., with the soprano, as opposed to voci bianche), difficulty with longer vocal lines (their not possessing the amazing breath capacity of a castrato), and a very loose technique (e.g., the soprano, i.e., scooping up to high notes, sliding from note to note, some none-Baroque habits that even are warned about in the film dialogue.) A matching of superlative countertenor Andreas Scholl with pure-voiced Maria Cristina Kiehr (for example) would have provided the Sony sound engineers with a far better base for their soundtrack. Had the producers done so, I would have rated this CD five stars, rather than four.
3. As for the film (one of my favourties that I do recommend) for which these recordings were made, note that the story has little to do with the actual castrato superstar Farinelli: the film is approximately 10% taken from his life (some "facts" are in error), 20% borrowed from what is known about other castrati of the time, 20% in general about the Baroque opera and society of the time, and 50% just made-up story to create a successful film script.
Description of Farinelli, il Castrato
Asia exclusive reissue of the soundtrack to 1995 biopic (winner of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film) on the life of the 18th century vocalist! Rock. 2004.General CDs
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