Farinelli, whose real name was Carlo Broschi, was one of the great castrati of eighteenth century opera. He was born in Italy in 1705 and made his début as a male soprano in 1722. Five years later he was defeated in a singing competition by the male contralto, Bernacchi, with whom he subsequently studied.
Like many castrati, Farinelli had almost superstar status; people were trampled in the rush to gain tickets for his performances and women fainted in droves when he sang.
His career took him to London, where he became a star singer in his former teacher, Popora's, opera company. This was the main rival to Handel's company, which also made a feature of catering to the contemporary fashion for the castrato voice.
In 1737 Farinelli's career took him to the court of Philip V of Spain. Philip, who suffered from melancholia, was so delighted by his artistry that he offered the singer a fortune to remain at court. Farinelli did so, singing the same four songs every night for twenty-five years.
On the accession of Philip's successor, Ferdinand VI, he instigated the setting up of an Italian opera company in Madrid. Having fallen out of favour in the next reign, he returned to Italy. He died in Bologna in 1782. Unlike many female sopranos, he had chosen to stop singing once his voice was past its best. However, he remained a musician to his death, playing the viola and harpsichord and attending concerts and opera performances.
