Cecilia Bartoli dedicates Salzburg Whitsun Festival to castrati
Since 2012, Cecilia Bartoli has been at the helm of the Salzburg Whitsun Festival, and for its 2019 edition, scheduled from June 7 to 10, she focuses on the theme of castrati, echoing the concepts explored in her 2009 Decca release, 'Sacrificium'. This album showcased the sacrifices made by young boys for the sake of music, featuring arias from composers like Porpora, Leo, and Händel, performed by Il Giardino Armonico under the direction of Giovanni Antonini. The last known castrato, Alessandro Moreschi, passed away in 1922. The festival will present Händel's 'Alcina', with Bartoli in the lead role and Philippe Jaroussky as Ruggiero, alongside a concert version of Porpora's 'Polifemo', along with various concerts, a film, and a scholarly conference. Bartoli also reflects on her career in comparison to Beverly Sills.
Key facts
- Cecilia Bartoli has directed the Salzburg Whitsun Festival since 2012.
- The 2019 festival runs from June 7 to 10.
- The festival is dedicated to castrati, revisiting themes from Bartoli's 2009 Decca album 'Sacrificium'.
- 'Sacrificium' included arias by Porpora, Leo, Arala, Vinci, Graun, Caldara, Broschi, Händel, and Giacomelli.
- The last castrato, Alessandro Moreschi, died in 1922.
- The festival features Händel's 'Alcina' with Bartoli as Alcina and Philippe Jaroussky as Ruggiero.
- The role of Ruggiero was originally written for castrato Giovanni Carestini.
- Porpora's 'Polifemo', written for castrato Farinelli, will be performed in concert.
- The production team includes director Damiano Michieletto, conductor Gianluca Capuano, and Les Musiciens du Prince de Monaco.
- The festival also includes concerts, a film, and a study conference.
Entities
Artists
- Cecilia Bartoli
- Giovanni Antonini
- Alessandro Moreschi
- Nicola Porpora
- Leonardo Leo
- Francesco Arala
- Leonardo Vinci
- Carl Heinrich Graun
- Antonio Caldara
- Riccardo Broschi
- George Friedric Händel
- Geminiano Giacomelli
- Beverly Sills
- Philippe Jaroussky
- Giovanni Carestini
- Farinelli
- Damiano Michieletto
- Gianluca Capuano
- Giuseppe Pennisi
Institutions
- Salzburg Whitsun Festival
- Salzburger Festspiele
- Decca
- Il Giardino Armonico
- Sistine Chapel
- New York City Opera
- Metropolitan Opera
- Teatro di San Carlo
- Covent Garden
- King's Theatre
- Les Musiciens du Prince de Monaco
- Artribune
Locations
- Salzburg
- Austria
- Naples
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom