In Baroque Europe, castrati occupied an extraordinary place: that of the first true “stars” in the history of music. Nearly all Italian and trained in the conservatories of Naples, they devoted themselves either to opera careers or to serving the most prestigious princely chapels, reaching as far as the Vatican and the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles, and often combining both positions.

In many operas and sacred oratorios, from Vienna to London, castrati systematically performed the title role (and in Rome, all female roles as well), along with several other major parts, creating a genuine competition on stage. It became an escalation of virtuosity and emotion among the singers, with the audience acting as judge — both through its demands for encores and through the lavish gifts bestowed upon the most adored performers. Opera productions were also frequently supplemented with “suitcase arias,” which the most sought-after castrati brought with them in order to shine.

With a trio as extraordinary as the one formed by Maayan Licht, Théo Imart, and Dennis Orellana, the audience is invited to a competition of the highest order: profoundly Baroque in spirit, the rivalry among these primi uomini was the very attraction of Italian opera. Here, its most thrilling vocal dynamic comes vividly back to life through the voices of three countertenors, for one evening in tribute to the glory of the castrati.

Royal Opera Productions.

Antonio Vivaldi – Orlando furioso – Overture
Antonio Vivaldi – Orlando furioso – “Sol da te, mio dolce amore”
Antonio Vivaldi – Orlando furioso – “Nel profondo”
Antonio Vivaldi – Ercole sul Termodonte – “Zeffiretti che sussurrate”
Arcangelo Corelli – Concerto grosso No. 4

Honoré d’Ambruis – “Le doux silence de nos bois”
George Frideric Handel – Ariodante – “Dopo notte”
George Frideric Handel – Orlando – “Ah! Stigie larve”
Georg Philipp Telemann – Concerto for Recorder and Transverse Flute – Finale
George Frideric Handel – Tolomeo, re d’Egitto – “Stille amare”
George Frideric Handel – Serse – “Crude furie”
Nicola Porpora – Germanico in Germania – “Temi lo sdegno mio, perfido traditore”