0:18 / 1:00:06 'The Art of Castrati' . Sacrificium . Cecilia Bartoli . Giovanni Antonini

'The Art of Castrati' . Sacrificium . Cecilia Bartoli . Giovanni Antonini (Olivier Simonnet)

PERFORMERS: Cecilia Bartoli, Mezzosoprano Giovanni Antonini Et L' Ensemble 'Il Giardino Armonico' Direttore: Olivier Simonnet COMPOSERS Nicola Porpora (1686 - 1768) Geminiano Giacomelli (1692-1740) Francesco Araia (1709 - 1770) Riccardo Broschi (1658 - 1756) George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759) »SACRIFICIUM« I. 00:00, Nicola Porpora : Ouverture (Adagio/ Spiritozo Andante) Gedeone, Oratorio (anon.; Vienna 1737) II. 01:36 Nicola Porpora: Opera, Siface (1725) Atto II. Scèna 4. Aria di Siface 'Come nave in mezzo all'onde' III. 05:41 Geminiano Giacomelli: Opera, Merope (1734) 'Sposa, non mi conosci' IV. 16:05 Sinfonia Nicola Porpora: Germanico in Germania (1732) V. 17:50 Francesco Araia: Opera, Berenice (1734) Aria di Demetrio (Farinelli) Atto II. Scèna 3: Cadrò, ma qual si mira' VI. 24:23 Nicola Porpora: Germanico in Germania (1732) Atto II. Scèna 8. 'Parto, ti lascio, o cara' VII. 35:19 Nicola Porpora: Semiramide riconosciuta Atto III. Scèna 4. 'In braccio a mille furie' VIII. 38:11 Nicola Porpora: Opera, Adelaide (1723) 'Nobil onda' IX. 43:22 Nicola Porpora: Opera, Siface (1725) Atto II. Scèna 14. 'Usignolo sventurato' X. 48:42 Riccardo Broschi: Opera, Artaserse (1734) Dario's Solo (Farinelli) - Act II, Scèna 11: 'Son qual nave' XI. 56:16 George Frideric Händel, Opera, Serse, HWV 40 (1738) Act I, "Ombra mai fù" "CASTRATI" were particularly known for their unique timbre: because of the surgery performed on them, their voice did not change with puberty. Upon adulthood, the size of their thoracic cage, their lung capacity, their physical stamina and their strength were usually above that of most men. They had, as a consequence, great vocal power, and some were able to sing notes for a minute or more. Finally, a small and flexible larynx, and relatively short vocal chords allowed them to vocalize over a rather wide range (over 3 and 1/2 octaves) and to sing with great agility (they could control wide intervals, long cascades and trills). Furthermore, Castrati were initially selected among the best singers and received intensive training. ARIAS include Handel's "Ombra mai fu" and Broschi's "Son qual nave" -previously only available in the deluxe version of the album. The film also showcases the leading Italian period Ensemble Il Giardino Armonico under their director Giovanni Antonini A BEAUTIFUL Scenic Film by Olivier Simonnet. Filmed in high-definition widescreen. In 'Sacrificium' Cecilia Bartoli sings Virtuoso Arias around the spectacular Baroque Palace of Caserta in Southern Italy, just outside of Naples. This unique film shows Cecilia Bartoli in full costume singing a selection of showpiece arias written for the Castrato stars of the Neapolitan School. Ravishing locations including the Court Theatre, the stunning Vestibule and the Palace Gardens.