@brightphoebus My advice to you is just buy it and not rent. It's worth it:-). I have this DVD and know the whole movie almost by heart;-)...But mind there it's not Daniel Taylor singing but very beautiful but artificial computer created "castrato" voice composed of Derek Lee Ragin and Ewa Malas-Godlewska.
@serenaluce Thank you. Yes, I think I'll be buying the film (ebay seems to have it cheepest), as well as a Daniel Taylor album : ) Any recommendations for the latter? Does he have a best of?
@brightphoebus I see you are also from Canada. Then it's easier to buy Daniel Taylor's recordings even in musical stores, not only on ebay:-). Well, perhaps on ebay it's the cheapest to buy this DVD, but I don't think it's new:-). I bought it new in Russia for about $7:-) Yes, there's a wonderful CD "The best of Daniel Taylor". New in the store, only about $13+tax:-). Also, Handel's Love duets with Suzie Leblanc. I also just bought his CD with Bowman"Here let my life". Do you know Matthew White?
@brightphoebus He is another great Canadian countertenor. Absolutely different type of CT voice, but they are both great!:-) It's a matter of taste whom to prefer. You can check on this channel his Scarlatti's piece Perche' mormora il ruscello. My favourite piece from his Italian oratorios 2CD set. Also, Noli o cara, Miei genitori addio. Actually, anything that you can find. It's all great! And both have such intelligent, beautiful coloratura without cheap pop vocal tricks!
I did not particularly like the singing in the Farinelli movie. But well, it was the early nineties and there weren't many soprano countertenors around. So they used Derek en Ewa, because their voices blend so well and they like working together. But Ewa is a woman, and you can hear it. It spoils the miracle.
But this guy could have done it. Like David Hansen, I guess, too. He does a great recit in the middle. I usually dislike that, but not how he did it! I like him very much..
@carolineleiden I am sorry to say that you are correct about the vocal soundtrack from the movie. Sony engineers knew more about 1994 computers than Baroque voices. There were, however, two available, great voices early in their careers: countertenor Andreas Scholl and soprano Maria Cristina Kiehr. They had sung together in the wonderfully beautiful Caldara "Maddalena ai Piedi di Cristo." There are clips on my channel. Also available on CD.
@sfkcbf I agree with you too but could argue about your suggestion that Andreas Scholl could sing in Farinelli, il Castrat:-).Still, as we in general know it but can't prove as people's senses could change and different people could hear the same voice in different way, Farinelli was a SOPRANO castrato. Scholl sings too low for it. He can be stunning in pieces of Sacred music but in opera he's ALTO. He would suit more for Senesino.Ragin himself could sing higher and without ruining all Godlewska
@serenaluce Yes, you are correct; Scholl sings alto. That is why melding Kiehr's soprano with Scholl's alto would have been needed. The differences with the film track are, Scholl and Kiehr have more pure voices that more accurately approximate the castrato sound, plus they have mastered vocal technique. Soprano Farinelli could sing down into the tenor range below C.
@sfkcbf OK, I see your point. We are just exchanging opinions. I'd like more movies about castrati to be released, not just one Farinelli, il Castrato which attracted attention of many people who otherwise wouldn't know it at all. It's absurd that when I bought this DVD in Russia it says there "not for those under 18" and films with violence, rape are OK after 14. I just think that castrati were still castrated MEN, and to show approximately their voice it's better to blend MALE soprano and alto
@serenaluce I agree. I have had some posted comments plus comments directly from friends wishing that a truly accurate, historical movie of high quality would be made. In addition, some wish "Farinelli" could be remade and improved, and some wish that Rice's "Cry to Heaven" would be made.
@sfkcbf Also, such aspect of "Farinelli" should be remade and improved according to historical accuracy. They managed to "recreate" using the computer how a castrato voice could sound. It's very controversial as I'm convinced that the closest substitute to castrato now is a CT. And better not to mix 2 voices as it's still artificial as artificial flowers can be very beautiful, bigger, of brighter colours but they don't SMELL. Artificial birds can be impressive but they don't SING. They are cold.
@sfkcbf So, I prefer to listen to just one, natural, not computer created countertenor voice. Let it be lower or not with such a huge range as castrati could manage as technique still can't compete with a knife, but when I feel an artist's sharing his soul I react at it and couldn't cry listening to that beautiful but artificial voice..Anyway, let them experiment. It's only suggestion. But they can recreate on computer the SHAPE of castrati with broad chest as they can't find a real castrato now
Stunning! The best version of Cara Sposa I've heard so far. Very lyric and expressive! Wonderful very intelligent coloratura and agility especially in the second part! Great artist! Very well made video. I think that if Farinelli, il Castrato was recorded with Taylor's voice there would be no need to spoil it with a female high notes:-).Also, I heard Spanos live Alto Giove at his recital and was thinking that this film would be much better with his voice! Why don't they make more castrati films?
@arpeggio1358 I agree. I am just surprised why they don't make more films about castrati like Farinelli, il Castrato about e.g. Senesino, Guadagni, other great castrati who became legends? Nowadays we have more great countertenors with smoother, more effortless, more advanced technique than Ragin, though I like him very much too:-). We know so little about their lives, but they were humans, not only mighty singing machines and safe sex toys. They deserve more respect at least post mortem...
@arpeggio1358 I hope so too, and also the respect that countertenors deserve is coming too as though they have different vocal characteristics the best of them still are the closest substitute to castrati nowadays and give us a glimpse of castrati heaven. No women couldn replace their magic. Many just think that any male singing in falsetto like Vitas sounds like great castrati which is wrong. I'd only like to hear a true CT voice in such a film without spoiling it by women's high notes ...
@serenaluce I certainly agree with you that people should realize that a countertenor is NOT just any male singig in falsetto like Vitas. I want to tear my hair out every time I hear someone call Vitas a countertenor or an opera singer. He's no more an opera singer or a countertenor than any other pop falsettist.
@arpeggio1358 Absolutely. People just don't have enough information of this stuff. Such films like Farinelli, il Castrato would certainly help educate them. I've noticed that some just heard somewhere the word "castrato" and think that it sounds something like a cat pulled by the tail (just like Vitas:-)) and that this man is castrated and sounds like great castrati. Their ears are not trained to detect FLAT voices.That's why when they hear PJ's superficial imitation they call his Farinelli! LOL
@serenaluce NON CREDO SIA ESATTO QUELLO CHE SCRIVI DEREK LEE REAGIN[SPER SI SRIVA COSI] PRESTA LA VOCE PER IL FILM FARINELLI VOCE REGINA .IL TITOLO ITALIANO
@thealessio60 Actually it's Derek Lee Ragin.He is one of my favourites, and the first Tamerlano I've heard who took my breath away, and only Nicholas Spanos could become the best Tamerlano for me later.So,I guess I know how to spell his name:-). The film's title is in Italian "Farinelli, il Castrato". Does it sound Russian or Chinese to you? To me it seems like a perfect Italian title:-). Perhaps you confused him with Ronald Reagan?:-) And it's a mixture of his voice with Ewa Malas Godlewska...
@PrimaRagazza I have just realised (4 mths later!) this *isn't* David Daniels (still not a fan of him) .. Daniel Taylor on the other hand is my new favourite countertenor. Ok, after Scholl :) So *smooth* and elegantly phrased, 100% in tune, beautiful da capo (I love the bit where he goes lower than the original melody). For me this captures the pensive, melancholy atmosphere of this aria perfectly too. I like the video too, for that reason, even tho Farinelli didn't sing this irl.
@PrimaRagazza I agree with you that Taylor captures the pensive,melancholy atmosphere perfectsly.It's my favourite version so far! Also, it's closer to the original as Scholl sings it very low, and Taylor is soprano-like which is supposed to be as Farinelli was a soprano castrato.But what do you mean"Farinelli didn't sing this"?He exactly sang this aria, and didn't sing Lascia ch'io pianga as it's a woman Almirena's aria. It was just a very effective move in the movie to cry over his cruel fate.
@serenaluce i was just saying that the images are moving exactly bc this aria had such an emotional impact in the film bc of the sad irony of a castrato singing a beautiful song about his "dear wife", when he wld never have one at all. But the aria is by Handel and Farinelli never worked with him (& certainly wouldn't have played Almirena by that time!) It is beside the point tho .. it doesn't really matter as the film is mainly fiction & a work of art and beauty, not a dry biography :)
@PrimaRagazza Actually,Farinelli worked with Handel, and one woman cried:"One God, one Farinelli" exactly when Farinelli was singing Handel.Yes, it's so sad.But I don't see MUCH irony in the fact that castrati couldn't have wives but MAINLY hypocrasy of church who revived that shameful practice to use castrati to lure people to their temples first with sensual pleasures before they were used in opera,but comdemned them as men of the second best and forbid them to marry as they couldn't have kids
I especially love the last shot where he closes his eyes. Please, what movie are the pictures from? I'd like to rent it.
brightphoebus 3 months ago
@brightphoebus I am sending full information to you by personal message (allows more words).
sfkcbf 3 months ago
@brightphoebus My advice to you is just buy it and not rent. It's worth it:-). I have this DVD and know the whole movie almost by heart;-)...But mind there it's not Daniel Taylor singing but very beautiful but artificial computer created "castrato" voice composed of Derek Lee Ragin and Ewa Malas-Godlewska.
serenaluce 2 months ago
@serenaluce Thank you. Yes, I think I'll be buying the film (ebay seems to have it cheepest), as well as a Daniel Taylor album : ) Any recommendations for the latter? Does he have a best of?
brightphoebus 2 months ago
@brightphoebus I see you are also from Canada. Then it's easier to buy Daniel Taylor's recordings even in musical stores, not only on ebay:-). Well, perhaps on ebay it's the cheapest to buy this DVD, but I don't think it's new:-). I bought it new in Russia for about $7:-) Yes, there's a wonderful CD "The best of Daniel Taylor". New in the store, only about $13+tax:-). Also, Handel's Love duets with Suzie Leblanc. I also just bought his CD with Bowman"Here let my life". Do you know Matthew White?
serenaluce 2 months ago
@serenaluce No I haven't heard of Mathew White. I shall check him out. Thanks for tips!
brightphoebus 2 months ago
@brightphoebus He is another great Canadian countertenor. Absolutely different type of CT voice, but they are both great!:-) It's a matter of taste whom to prefer. You can check on this channel his Scarlatti's piece Perche' mormora il ruscello. My favourite piece from his Italian oratorios 2CD set. Also, Noli o cara, Miei genitori addio. Actually, anything that you can find. It's all great! And both have such intelligent, beautiful coloratura without cheap pop vocal tricks!
serenaluce 2 months ago
Oh it's so beautiful it melts my heart.
brightphoebus 3 months ago
I did not particularly like the singing in the Farinelli movie. But well, it was the early nineties and there weren't many soprano countertenors around. So they used Derek en Ewa, because their voices blend so well and they like working together. But Ewa is a woman, and you can hear it. It spoils the miracle.
But this guy could have done it. Like David Hansen, I guess, too. He does a great recit in the middle. I usually dislike that, but not how he did it! I like him very much..
carolineleiden 3 months ago
@carolineleiden I am sorry to say that you are correct about the vocal soundtrack from the movie. Sony engineers knew more about 1994 computers than Baroque voices. There were, however, two available, great voices early in their careers: countertenor Andreas Scholl and soprano Maria Cristina Kiehr. They had sung together in the wonderfully beautiful Caldara "Maddalena ai Piedi di Cristo." There are clips on my channel. Also available on CD.
sfkcbf 3 months ago
@sfkcbf I agree with you too but could argue about your suggestion that Andreas Scholl could sing in Farinelli, il Castrat:-).Still, as we in general know it but can't prove as people's senses could change and different people could hear the same voice in different way, Farinelli was a SOPRANO castrato. Scholl sings too low for it. He can be stunning in pieces of Sacred music but in opera he's ALTO. He would suit more for Senesino.Ragin himself could sing higher and without ruining all Godlewska
serenaluce 3 months ago
@serenaluce Yes, you are correct; Scholl sings alto. That is why melding Kiehr's soprano with Scholl's alto would have been needed. The differences with the film track are, Scholl and Kiehr have more pure voices that more accurately approximate the castrato sound, plus they have mastered vocal technique. Soprano Farinelli could sing down into the tenor range below C.
sfkcbf 3 months ago
@sfkcbf OK, I see your point. We are just exchanging opinions. I'd like more movies about castrati to be released, not just one Farinelli, il Castrato which attracted attention of many people who otherwise wouldn't know it at all. It's absurd that when I bought this DVD in Russia it says there "not for those under 18" and films with violence, rape are OK after 14. I just think that castrati were still castrated MEN, and to show approximately their voice it's better to blend MALE soprano and alto
serenaluce 3 months ago
@serenaluce I agree. I have had some posted comments plus comments directly from friends wishing that a truly accurate, historical movie of high quality would be made. In addition, some wish "Farinelli" could be remade and improved, and some wish that Rice's "Cry to Heaven" would be made.
sfkcbf 3 months ago
@sfkcbf Also, such aspect of "Farinelli" should be remade and improved according to historical accuracy. They managed to "recreate" using the computer how a castrato voice could sound. It's very controversial as I'm convinced that the closest substitute to castrato now is a CT. And better not to mix 2 voices as it's still artificial as artificial flowers can be very beautiful, bigger, of brighter colours but they don't SMELL. Artificial birds can be impressive but they don't SING. They are cold.
serenaluce 3 months ago
@sfkcbf So, I prefer to listen to just one, natural, not computer created countertenor voice. Let it be lower or not with such a huge range as castrati could manage as technique still can't compete with a knife, but when I feel an artist's sharing his soul I react at it and couldn't cry listening to that beautiful but artificial voice..Anyway, let them experiment. It's only suggestion. But they can recreate on computer the SHAPE of castrati with broad chest as they can't find a real castrato now
serenaluce 3 months ago
@carolineleiden I couldn't agree more with you here!:-)
serenaluce 3 months ago
I love the restrained use of ornamentation in the da capo.
awyliu 6 months ago
Maravilhoso, Estupendo, Magnífico. Ouvir, sentir e silêncio.
Muito Obrigado.
quitomachado 6 months ago
Stunning! The best version of Cara Sposa I've heard so far. Very lyric and expressive! Wonderful very intelligent coloratura and agility especially in the second part! Great artist! Very well made video. I think that if Farinelli, il Castrato was recorded with Taylor's voice there would be no need to spoil it with a female high notes:-).Also, I heard Spanos live Alto Giove at his recital and was thinking that this film would be much better with his voice! Why don't they make more castrati films?
serenaluce 6 months ago 8
@serenaluce Daniel Taylor always sings so beautifully and with such expression. What exquisite sounds he makes here.
arpeggio1358 6 months ago 2
@arpeggio1358 I agree. I am just surprised why they don't make more films about castrati like Farinelli, il Castrato about e.g. Senesino, Guadagni, other great castrati who became legends? Nowadays we have more great countertenors with smoother, more effortless, more advanced technique than Ragin, though I like him very much too:-). We know so little about their lives, but they were humans, not only mighty singing machines and safe sex toys. They deserve more respect at least post mortem...
serenaluce 6 months ago
@serenaluce Again, we're in agreement. We do know very little about their lives. Perhaps the respect they deserve will be coming.
arpeggio1358 6 months ago
@arpeggio1358 I hope so too, and also the respect that countertenors deserve is coming too as though they have different vocal characteristics the best of them still are the closest substitute to castrati nowadays and give us a glimpse of castrati heaven. No women couldn replace their magic. Many just think that any male singing in falsetto like Vitas sounds like great castrati which is wrong. I'd only like to hear a true CT voice in such a film without spoiling it by women's high notes ...
serenaluce 6 months ago
@serenaluce I certainly agree with you that people should realize that a countertenor is NOT just any male singig in falsetto like Vitas. I want to tear my hair out every time I hear someone call Vitas a countertenor or an opera singer. He's no more an opera singer or a countertenor than any other pop falsettist.
arpeggio1358 6 months ago
@arpeggio1358 Absolutely. People just don't have enough information of this stuff. Such films like Farinelli, il Castrato would certainly help educate them. I've noticed that some just heard somewhere the word "castrato" and think that it sounds something like a cat pulled by the tail (just like Vitas:-)) and that this man is castrated and sounds like great castrati. Their ears are not trained to detect FLAT voices.That's why when they hear PJ's superficial imitation they call his Farinelli! LOL
serenaluce 6 months ago
@serenaluce NON CREDO SIA ESATTO QUELLO CHE SCRIVI DEREK LEE REAGIN[SPER SI SRIVA COSI] PRESTA LA VOCE PER IL FILM FARINELLI VOCE REGINA .IL TITOLO ITALIANO
thealessio60 1 week ago
@thealessio60 Actually it's Derek Lee Ragin.He is one of my favourites, and the first Tamerlano I've heard who took my breath away, and only Nicholas Spanos could become the best Tamerlano for me later.So,I guess I know how to spell his name:-). The film's title is in Italian "Farinelli, il Castrato". Does it sound Russian or Chinese to you? To me it seems like a perfect Italian title:-). Perhaps you confused him with Ronald Reagan?:-) And it's a mixture of his voice with Ewa Malas Godlewska...
serenaluce 6 days ago
Taylor's voice doesn't normally "wow" me but I like the masculine timbre especially in the lower notes and beautiful tone in this aria.
PrimaRagazza 6 months ago
@PrimaRagazza I have just realised (4 mths later!) this *isn't* David Daniels (still not a fan of him) .. Daniel Taylor on the other hand is my new favourite countertenor. Ok, after Scholl :) So *smooth* and elegantly phrased, 100% in tune, beautiful da capo (I love the bit where he goes lower than the original melody). For me this captures the pensive, melancholy atmosphere of this aria perfectly too. I like the video too, for that reason, even tho Farinelli didn't sing this irl.
PrimaRagazza 2 months ago
@PrimaRagazza I agree with you that Taylor captures the pensive,melancholy atmosphere perfectsly.It's my favourite version so far! Also, it's closer to the original as Scholl sings it very low, and Taylor is soprano-like which is supposed to be as Farinelli was a soprano castrato.But what do you mean"Farinelli didn't sing this"?He exactly sang this aria, and didn't sing Lascia ch'io pianga as it's a woman Almirena's aria. It was just a very effective move in the movie to cry over his cruel fate.
serenaluce 2 months ago
@serenaluce i was just saying that the images are moving exactly bc this aria had such an emotional impact in the film bc of the sad irony of a castrato singing a beautiful song about his "dear wife", when he wld never have one at all. But the aria is by Handel and Farinelli never worked with him (& certainly wouldn't have played Almirena by that time!) It is beside the point tho .. it doesn't really matter as the film is mainly fiction & a work of art and beauty, not a dry biography :)
PrimaRagazza 2 months ago
@PrimaRagazza Actually,Farinelli worked with Handel, and one woman cried:"One God, one Farinelli" exactly when Farinelli was singing Handel.Yes, it's so sad.But I don't see MUCH irony in the fact that castrati couldn't have wives but MAINLY hypocrasy of church who revived that shameful practice to use castrati to lure people to their temples first with sensual pleasures before they were used in opera,but comdemned them as men of the second best and forbid them to marry as they couldn't have kids
serenaluce 2 months ago
Marvellous tone, also in the difficult second part, wonderful technique, beautiful da capo. Masterful.
CaraPhilos 6 months ago
Crisp clear, excellent!
jsblator 6 months ago
So very well done. Thanks Stephen. :)
velvetcaress 6 months ago
That was spectacular!
c
mradaChris 6 months ago