2/12 Castrati NotesMusic and the Human Experience with Professor KattariGeorge Frideric Handel- Born in Germany- Learn opera in Italy- Wrote Italian opera seria for public in Englando Ex. “Guilio Cesare in Egitto” (Julius Caesar in Egypt)Baroque Opera Seria- Story line still about elevated and noble- Based on classical myths/historical figures- Da capo form: ABA’ (The apostrophe is showing that the music kind of returns to part A but the singer puts embellishment and improvises on it)- Lead male players played by castratiCastrato singers- Castrato –singers with removed testicleso Boys castrated to preserve prepubescent voiceo Virtuoso performer w/ great technical skillo Results in feminized appearance- Castration was illegal except for medical reasons, still done anyways. - Trials of voice – Have to make sure that the kid has a voice worth preservingo A ton of horrible castrati crowding the church choirso Good castrati become opera stars- Castrati in operao Really popular by 1720’so Today played by male counter-tenor or female sopranoFarinelli – Superstar Castrato (in-class example)- Real name: Carlo Broschi- Italian- Famous duel of voices w/ trumpeter- In-class film exampleo Farinelli had an absurd high voice with hunger games costume- Why were manly heroes and lovers in opera played by castrati??o Roger Freitas – The Erotocism of Emasculation Baroque was about feelings and exaggeration Castrato = a supernatural manifestation of a widely-held ideal Castrato more in tune with feelings and supposedly more susceptible to loveAndreas Scholl – modern day counter tenor version of Senesino- Talked about being human not
View Full Document
Unlocking...