Farinelli Il Castrato

Farinelli Il Castrato is a 1994 Columbia/Tristar Studios movie about the real life singer Farinelli, starring Stefano Dionisi as the title character as an adult and providing the speaking voice. For the singing voice, a soprano (Ewa Ma?as-Godlewska) and a countertenor (Derek Lee Ragin) were recorded separately, then their voices were digitally merged to reproduce the sound of a castrato.

Related Topics:
Farinelli - Stefano Dionisi - Soprano - Ewa Ma?as-Godlewska - Countertenor - Derek Lee Ragin - Castrato

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Although based on real life events, some dramatic license is taken. For example, Farinelli's brother is given much importance and Porpora is de-emphasized, while the movie offers a different explanation for how Carlo Broschi came to take the stage name Farinelli. George Frideric Handel, played by Jeroen Krabbé, is made out to be somewhat of a villain. But this is based on the competition between the theater at which Handel's music was played and the theater at which Farinelli sang.

Related Topics:
George Frideric Handel - Jeroen Krabbé

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This movie was released in 2000 and is rated R by the MPAA for depictions of thematic elements and sexuality. It is available on Region 1 DVDs with a spoken track in French and Italian with a little English, and subtitles available in English and Spanish. It can be rented at zip.ca

Related Topics:
2000 - MPAA

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