Rossini's breakthrough as a composer came with the sensational success of 'Tancredi' in Venice in 1813, for which he wrote the title role for the Italian contralto Adelaide Malanotte.
Composer Biography
Rossini was fascinated by high male voices throughout his life and, according to early biographers, narrowly avoided being castrated as a child to preserve his voice.
Composition History
Rossini composed only two roles for a castrato: Alceo in 'Il vero omaggio' and Arsace in 'Aureliano in Palmira', both for Giambattista Velluti, the last internationally renowned operatic castrato.
Composition History
Rossini's opera 'Adelaide di Borgogna' failed at its 1817 premiere in Rome, allowing him to reuse large sections of its score for 'Eduardo e Cristina', which was a great success.
Performer Biography
Fagioli's musical background is rooted in the bel canto tradition, having begun his training in Argentina with Rossini and Donizetti.
Performer Biography
Franco Fagioli was the first countertenor to complete his training at the prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Interpretation
Franco Fagioli deliberately chose not to include castrato roles in this Rossini album, focusing instead on 'trouser roles' originally written for women.
