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FARINELLI, A COMPLEX PERSONALITY OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

R. C. FAGARASAN

Abstract

The present study captures the outstanding personality of Carlo Broschi, called Farinelli, whom I consider to be the etalon singer of the eighteenth century. His vocal-solo career spanned between 1720 and 1737, quite short, but very intense, with about 70 opera roles of extraordinary success, being invited to all the great lyrical stages of the time. Besides being a perfect artist, he also held important political and administrative functions. Between 1747 and 1759 he chose the "second plan", being named the Director of the Royal theaters, he coordinated all the musical and cultural events in Spain. Starting with 1747, the flamboyant assemblages with eccentric scenography and stage design, including all the original ideas set by Farinelli, were awaited with great interest by the public that was eager to perform in the true sense of the word. The opera that brought him notoriety as the coordinator of an artistic manifestation of genre was “Armida placata”, premiered in 1750. After this exceptional show he received all the royal honors, being decorated with the Military and Religious Order of Calatrava. The complexity of his career as first soloist, theater director, organizer of the royal artistic events, brought him royal awards and gifts and provided financial stability during the last 20 years of his life.

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