Castrato Phantoms Explores Fellini's Family Tie to Last Castrato Alessandro Moreschi
In her book *Castrato Phantoms: Moreschi, Fellini, and the Sacred Vernacular in Rome*, released by Princeton/Zone Books in February/April 2026, Martha Feldman delves into the connection between castrato Alessandro Moreschi (1858–1922) and director Federico Fellini. Moreschi's granddaughter, Alessandra, wed Fellini's sibling Riccardo, which provides deeper insights into Fellini's cinematic works and the portrayal of Italian masculinity in the 20th century. The 480-page publication, available for $38/£32, features 10 color images and 142 in black and white. Feldman examines the objectification of castrati and their influence on Fellini's films, such as *I Vitelloni* (1953) and *Fellini Satyricon* (1969), while noting Moreschi's death in 1922 amidst the rise of fascism.
Key facts
- Martha Feldman's book Castrato Phantoms: Moreschi, Fellini, and the Sacred Vernacular in Rome is published by Princeton/Zone Books in February/April 2026 (US/UK).
- The 480-page book includes 10 colour and 142 black-and-white illustrations and is priced at $38/£32 (hb).
- Castrato Alessandro Moreschi (1858–1922) was the last castrato; his granddaughter Alessandra married Federico Fellini's brother Riccardo.
- Feldman argues this lineage deepens understanding of Fellini's films and 20th-century Italian masculinity.
- Carlo Maria Broschi (1705–82), known as Farinelli, was the most famous castrato, his portrait circulated via engravings across Europe.
- Fellini's films referenced castrato legacies: a singing voice in I Vitelloni (1953) and a hermaphrodite in Fellini Satyricon (1969).
- Moreschi died in 1922 as Futurism gave way to fascism and Mussolini gained power; Feldman cites 'Fascist fetishisations of heroic masculinity' that erased castrati from memory.
- A new edition of Vernon Lee's Hauntings (2025) includes a conversation with Gretchen Felker-Martin on the gender-transcending character Zaffirino.
- Fellini and Pietro Germi's films serve as reclamation of castrato history.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandro Moreschi
- Federico Fellini
- Martha Feldman
- Alessandra Moreschi
- Riccardo Fellini
- Carlo Maria Broschi
- Farinelli
- Giulietta Masina
- Vernon Lee
- Violet Paget
- Gretchen Felker-Martin
- Pietro Germi
- Benito Mussolini
- Petronius
Institutions
- Princeton/Zone Books
- Catholic Church
- Opera Seria
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Europe