The art of the castrati

[Thanas]

Cecilia Bartoli, one of my favorite singers, did something extraordinary in 2009. She attempted to revive the art of the castrati, which presented a unique challenge for her. She had previously recorded unknown, lost or suppressed music (Salieri Album and opera prohibita) but the songs of the Castrati were probably even harder. For though Salieri probably wrote the hardest - and IMO most exquisit - music ever known in opera, the Castrati songs presented a unique challenge because the castrati could sing high notes while still being able to use the bigger volume of the masculine chest.

But Bartoli succeeded and now I found the video to her project on youtube. Go check it out and listen to these long lost songs, many of which were rediscovered and recorded for the first time. This will impress nearly everyone who likes classical or baroque music and it will deeply amaze anyone who ever had formal training. I have sung Mozart's Requiem and it was child's play compared to what she does here. For example, she uses the whole range of her 2 1/2 octaves. But that is not the most impressive feat, no it is her singing coluratura for over 20 seconds while using her vocal range and without a pause inbetween.

It really makes you appreciate the beauty of this lost music and is the best evidence that despite our knowledge, we should try and look at the forgotten masters of those days. So, to all classical or vocal music fans, go check it out.

TL, dr: If you are unconvinced, go to 19:08 and then pay close attention to her. Observe when she last takes a big breath. Then try to match her from 19:30 onwards. Try again from 21:45 and 22:40 onwards. If your chest has not exploded or you have not passed out then go watch the video from the start. Then buy the CD.

[J]

Thank you! I know of her from our local classical music station (Classical 96.3 is amazing!) and I've enjoyed the performances of hers which they've played. I'm about halfway through the video, it's quite different than what I've heard of her to date, and I'm not sure I've heard anything similar before. I think it's going to take time and many more listening sessions to grasp the music, it's challenging, some parts are almost jarring while others are, as mentioned, very fluid and exquisite. Definitely buying the album!

[Thanas]

You might also want to pick up Opera prohibita (music which was banned by the church and its authors blacklisted) and the Salieri Album, which I think to be her best.