Franco Fagioli: Mozart and the Castrati by Various, De (2020/2020), Director Daniel Bard, Opéra Royal, Versalles, Francia

Mozart and the Castrats: Let me sing! If Mozart's passion for female voices is obvious, it should not make us forget that his first great virtuoso lyrical airs were intended for castrati! In the tour of Europe that his father began with him, Mozart was called upon to compose his first operas for the Italian stages where the castrati triumphed in the role of Primo Uomo of the Opera Seria. In Mitridate Re di Ponto, created in Milan in 1770 by the young 14-year-old composer, three of the are castrati performers ! parallel to the composition of The Magic Flute ) La Clemenza di Tito (Prague, 1791): in these Italian Seria works, Mozart obviously leaves the leading role to the stars of the halls for which he composes, or uses their presence to spice up the work. And it was the castrato Venanzio Rauzzini who created the splendid Exsultate Jubilate to which he is dedicated, in Milan in 1773! The incredible Franco Fagioli dedicates his resplendent timbre to this repertoire which made Mozart's first great successes, and for which he wrote the virtuoso airs of his maturity. Slaughter, exacerbated feeling, courage and vocal virility are waiting for you!