Carlo Broschi Farinelli

Carlo Broschi Farinelli , 1705-82, Italian male soprano, greatest of the castrati (see castrato ), pupil of Niccolò Porpora , in whose operas he sang (1734-37) in London. Farinelli's real name was Carlo Broschi. Having won fame in France and Italy, he became (1737) official singer to Philip V of Spain and renounced his public career. His sole duty was to sing the same four songs each night to the king, from whom he received an astronomical fee. He enjoyed a highly favored position in Spain until 1759, when he retired to a castle near Bologna.

Farinelli [ Broschi, Carlo] (b Andria, 1705; d Bologna, 1782). It. castrato singer. Début Naples, 1720. In 1723 sang title-role in Porpora's Adelaide. In 1727 was defeated in public exhibition of vocal skill by Bernacchi, who then taught him. Sang in Vienna and in London, where he joined Porpora's opera co. which was in competition with Handel's. Sang in Madrid, 1737, where Philip V offered him 50,000 francs a year to stay, which he did for 25 years, singing each night to the king. Was instrumental in est. It. opera in Madrid. Left Spain on Charles III's accession in 1759, living in Bologna in some splendour, collecting pictures and playing hpd. and va. d'amore.