Farinelli Il Castrato
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Farinelli Il Castrato is a film about the famous castrato singer Farinelli, released by Sony Pictures Classics in 1994 starring Stefano Dionisi in the title role.
Although Dionisi provided the speaking voice, Farinelli's singing voice was provided by a soprano, Ewa Małas-Godlewska and a countertenor, Derek Lee Ragin who were recorded separately then digitally merged to recreate the sound of a castrato.
Although based on real life events, some dramatic license is taken. For example, Farinelli's brother is given much importance and Porpora is de-emphasized, while the movie offers a different explanation for how Carlo Broschi came to take the stage name Farinelli. George Frideric Handel, played by Jeroen Krabbé, is made out to be somewhat of a villain, but this is based on the competition between the theater at which Handel's music was played and the theater at which Farinelli sang.
The film was directed by Belgian Gérard Corbiau. Its musical director was the French harpsichordist and conductor Christophe Rousset.
It was released in 1994 and won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film in 1995. It was also nominated for an Academy Award in the same category, but did not win.
It is rated R by the MPAA for depictions of adult themes and sexuality. It is available on Region 1 DVDs with a spoken track in French and Italian with a little English, and subtitles available in English and Spanish.
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