Farinelli
An 18th-century castrato whose superhuman vocal prowess made him a mythic figure, capable of curing a king's melancholy with song.
1705–1782 (age 77)·Italian castrato singer·Birthday: January 24
Biography
Farinelli was not merely a singer; he was an 18th-century phenomenon, a living instrument of such perfection that he blurred the line between man and myth. Trained in the rigorous Neapolitan school, his castrato voice possessed a power, range, and agility that audiences across Europe found almost supernatural. His rivalry with another star castrato, Senesino, fueled opera house frenzies. But his most famous chapter began in 1737, when he was summoned to the gloomy Spanish court of Philip V. For nearly a decade, Farinelli sang the same four arias every night to soothe the king's debilitating depression, becoming a trusted political advisor in the process. His retirement in Bologna was one of immense wealth and honor, a quiet end for a man whose voice had been the stuff of public legend, defining the extreme and now-lost art of the castrato.
#1 When Farinelli Was Born
The biggest hits of 1705
Farinelli's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1705Born
1710Started school
1718Became a teenager
1721Could drive
1723Could vote
1726Turned 21
1735Turned 30
1745Turned 40
1755Turned 50
1765Turned 60
1775Turned 70
1782Died at 77
Key Achievements
- Was one of the highest-paid and most famous singers in Europe during the height of the Baroque opera era.
- Served as a private musician and de facto political advisor to Kings Philip V and Ferdinand VI of Spain for over two decades.
- His vocal technique and longevity were exceptional, maintaining his performing abilities long after most singers of his era retired.
- Amassed a considerable fortune and art collection, allowing him to live as a nobleman in retirement.
Did You Know?
According to a famous (though possibly apocryphal) story, his singing once caused a female opera fan to shout 'One God, one Farinelli!'
He was known for his ability to hold a note for an extraordinarily long time, with some accounts claiming a minute or more on a single breath.
The 1994 film 'Farinelli' attempted to recreate his voice using a digital blend of a male countertenor and a female soprano.
He was a skilled horseman and maintained a stable of fine horses.
“My voice is a gift, but it is a gift I must perfect every single day.”
