The Modern Castrato : Gaetano Guadagni and the Coming of a New Operatic Age

__The Modern Castrato: Gaetano Guadagni and the Coming of a New Operatic Age__chronicles the career of the most significant castrato of the second half of the eighteenth-century. Through a coincidence of time and place, Gaetano Guadagni was on the forefront of the heroic opera reform, and many forward-thinking composers of the age created roles for him. Author Patricia Howard reveals that Guadagni may have been the only singer of the time fully able to understand the demands and opportunities of this reform, as well to possess the intelligence and self-knowledge to realize that it suited his skills, limitations and temperament perfectly--making him the first castrato to embrace the concepts of modern singing.The first full-length biography of this outstanding singer, The Modern Castrato illuminates the everyday lives of eighteenth-century singers while spotlighting the historic high points of the century. Most famous for his creation of the role of Orpheus in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, his career ranged widely and brought him into contact with many progressives theorists and composers such as Traetta, Jommelli, and Bertoni. Howard's focus on the development of Guadagni's career pauses on essential, related topics along the way, such as the castrato in society, the eighteenth-century revolution in acting, and the remarkable evidence for Guadagni's marionette theater. Howard also assesses Guadagni's surviving compositions, which give new insight into the quality and character of his voice as well as his technical and expressive abilities. The Modern Castrato is an engaging narrative that will prove essential reading for opera lovers and scholars of eighteenth-century music. The Modern Castrato: Gaetano Guadagni and the Coming of a New Operatic Age chronicles the career of the most significant castrato of the second half of the eighteenth-century. Through a coincidence of time and place, Gaetano Guadagni was on the forefront of the heroic opera reform, and many forward-thinking composers of the age created roles for him. Author Patricia Howard reveals that Guadagni may have been the only singer of the time fully able to understand the demands and opportunities of this reform, as well to possess the intelligence and self-knowledge to realize that it suited his skills, limitations and temperament perfectly--making him the first castrato to embrace the concepts of modern singing. The first full-length biography of this outstanding singer, The Modern Castrato illuminates the everyday lives of eighteenth-century singers while spotlighting the historic high points of the century. Most famous for his creation of the role of Orpheus in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, his career ranged widely and brought him into contact with many progressives theorists and composers such as Traetta, Jommelli, and Bertoni. Howard's focus on the development of Guadagni's career pauses on essential, related topics along the way, such as the castrato in society, the eighteenth-century revolution in acting, and the remarkable evidence for Guadagni's marionette theater. Howard also assesses Guadagni's surviving compositions, which give new insight into the quality and character of his voice as well as his technical and expressive abilities. The Modern Castrato is an engaging narrative that will prove essential reading for opera lovers and scholars of eighteenth-century music. This Is The First Full-length Biography Of One Of The Most Outstanding Singers Of The Eighteenth Century. Gaetano Guadagni Is Widely Known For His Creation Of The Role Of Orpheus In Gluck's 'orfeo Ed Euridice'; He Was Also A Leading Singer In Handel's Oratorios, And Worked With Other Progressive Composers Such As Traetta, Jommelli And Bertoni. His Career Coincided With A Movement To Reform Heroic Opera, With The Intention Of Freeing Dramatic Music From Restrictive Conventions, And Bringing It Into Harmony With The More Expressive Aims Of The Age Of Sensibility. From Lodi To London (1728-1748) -- A London Apprenticeship (1748-1749) -- Guadagni And Handel (1749-1755) -- Guadagni The Actor -- Building A Career On The European Stage (1755-1762) -- Guadagni In Vienna (1762-1765) -- Return To The Veneto (1765-1769) -- Success And Scandal In London (1769-1771) -- Guadagni The Composer -- At Home In Padua (1771-1782) -- The Last Decade (1782-1792) -- Guadagni The Singer. Patricia Howard. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book chronicles the career of Gaetano Guadagni, the most significant castrato of the second half of the eighteenth-century. Guadagni was on the forefront of the heroic opera reform, and many forward-thinking composers of the age created roles for him. The book illuminates the everyday lives of eighteenth-century singers while spotlighting the historic high points of the century. Most famous for his creation of the role of Orpheus in Gluck's Orfeoed Euridice, his career ranged widely and brought him into contact with many progressives theorists and composers such as Traetta, Jommelli, and Bertoni From Lodi to London (1728-1748) A London apprenticeship (1748-1749) Guadagni and Handel (1749-1755) Guadagni the actor Building a career on the European stage (1755-1762) Guadagni in Vienna (1762-1765) Return to the Veneto (1765-1769) Success and scandal in London (1769-1771) Guadagni the composer At home in Padua (1771-1782) The last decade (1782-1792) Guadagni the singer Appendix A. Guadagni's dramatic roles Appendix B. Guadagni's salary at the Santo Appendix C. A selection of documents.