The Castrato Sacrifice: Was it Justified? Page: 48
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retired from the opera stage at the relatively early age of 32. He did not give up singing,
however, he just seemed to have different aspirations and career goals.
While the opera stage was certainly the starting point to begin an extremely successful
castrato's career, it did not have to be his only outlet. Many successful castrati had wonderful
careers as premiere court musicians. Farinelli was expected to return to London for the next
season, but he was enticed to Spain instead. The wife of Philip V, in an attempt to lift the
debilitating melancholy of her husband, and hired Farinelli literally in order to try to sing him
back to health. Whether her motives were out of love or political agenda is hard to tell.
Regardless, the arrival of Farinelli was carefully orchestrated by the Queen, down to the first
encounter with the King, which she made to look like an accidental meeting. Her plan worked
brilliantly, and Farinelli is indeed credited with elongating the sick King's life for another nine
years. His whole life he showed a great affinity for transforming and charming people not only
with his ethereal voice, but with his peaceful and humble nature. Finding tranquility in nothing
but Farinelli, the King would request him to sing each night. As the tale goes, he would repeat
only a certain four songs every evening without fail. It is thought that possibly he actually
performed other literature as well, but kept at least one of the songs consistently nightly.
Whatever the details of the legend, his effect on Philip V of Spain was one of healing.
Farinelli was paid a substantial salary that was most certainly complemented by myriad
gifts and endowments. But what he perhaps found even more rewarding was the political
opportunity that this job afforded him. His influence of the court of Spain was quite impressive,
after living there just a short time. Although he was certainly not overbearing or bossy, he
seemed to possess a quiet charisma that must have enchanted all around him. Heriot compares
his influence over the Spanish court to none other than the legendary Rasputin over the Russian48
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Sowle, Jennifer. The Castrato Sacrifice: Was it Justified?, thesis, August 2006; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5343/m1/51/: accessed May 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .