Senesino (pronounced [seneˈziË no]; or traditionally [seneˈsiË no];
born Francesco Bernardi [franˈtʃesko berˈnardi] on 31 October 1686
â€" 27 November 1758) was a celebrated Italian contralto castrato,
particularly remembered today for his long collaboration with the
composer George Frideric Handel.Senesino was the son of a barber from
Siena (hence his stage-name). He joined the cathedral choir there in
1695 and was castrated at the comparatively late age of thirteen. His
debut was at Venice in 1707, and during the next decade he acquired a
European reputation and, by the time he sang in Lotti's Giove in Argo
in 1717 at Dresden, a commensurately enormous salary.As with many
castrati, reports of Senesino's acting were not always positive, to
say the least. The impresario Count Francesco Zambeccari wrote of his
performance in Naples in 1715: "Senesino continues to comport himself
badly enough; he stands like a statue, and when occasionally he does
make a gesture, he makes one directly the opposite of what is wanted."
Of the singer's vocal abilities, however, there was no doubt. In 1719,
the composer Quantz heard him in Lotti's Teofane at Dresden, and
stated: "He had a powerful, clear, equal and sweet contralto voice,
with a perfect intonation and an excellent shake. His manner of
singing was masterly and his elocution unrivalled. … he sang
allegros with great fire, and marked rapid divisions, from the chest,
in an articulate and pleasing manner. His countenance was well adapted
to the stage, and his action was natural and noble. To these qualities
he joined a majestic figure; but his aspect and deportment were more
suited to the part of a hero than of a lover."Following a dispute with
the court composer Heinichen in 1720, over an aria in the opera Flavio
Crispo, which led to his dismissal, Senesino was engaged by Handel as
primo uomo (lead male singer) in his company, the Royal Academy of
Music. He made his first appearance in a revival of Radamisto on 28
December, and his salary was variously reported as between £2000 and
3000 guineas: both vast sums. Senesino remained in London for much of
the succeeding sixteen years. He became a friend and associate of many
in the highest levels of society. He became friendly with, among
others, the Duke of Chandos, Lord Burlington and the landscape
designer William Kent, while amassing a fine collection of paintings,
rare books, scientific instruments, and other treasures, including a
service of silver made by the famous Paul de Lamerie.
born Francesco Bernardi [franˈtʃesko berˈnardi] on 31 October 1686
â€" 27 November 1758) was a celebrated Italian contralto castrato,
particularly remembered today for his long collaboration with the
composer George Frideric Handel.Senesino was the son of a barber from
Siena (hence his stage-name). He joined the cathedral choir there in
1695 and was castrated at the comparatively late age of thirteen. His
debut was at Venice in 1707, and during the next decade he acquired a
European reputation and, by the time he sang in Lotti's Giove in Argo
in 1717 at Dresden, a commensurately enormous salary.As with many
castrati, reports of Senesino's acting were not always positive, to
say the least. The impresario Count Francesco Zambeccari wrote of his
performance in Naples in 1715: "Senesino continues to comport himself
badly enough; he stands like a statue, and when occasionally he does
make a gesture, he makes one directly the opposite of what is wanted."
Of the singer's vocal abilities, however, there was no doubt. In 1719,
the composer Quantz heard him in Lotti's Teofane at Dresden, and
stated: "He had a powerful, clear, equal and sweet contralto voice,
with a perfect intonation and an excellent shake. His manner of
singing was masterly and his elocution unrivalled. … he sang
allegros with great fire, and marked rapid divisions, from the chest,
in an articulate and pleasing manner. His countenance was well adapted
to the stage, and his action was natural and noble. To these qualities
he joined a majestic figure; but his aspect and deportment were more
suited to the part of a hero than of a lover."Following a dispute with
the court composer Heinichen in 1720, over an aria in the opera Flavio
Crispo, which led to his dismissal, Senesino was engaged by Handel as
primo uomo (lead male singer) in his company, the Royal Academy of
Music. He made his first appearance in a revival of Radamisto on 28
December, and his salary was variously reported as between £2000 and
3000 guineas: both vast sums. Senesino remained in London for much of
the succeeding sixteen years. He became a friend and associate of many
in the highest levels of society. He became friendly with, among
others, the Duke of Chandos, Lord Burlington and the landscape
designer William Kent, while amassing a fine collection of paintings,
rare books, scientific instruments, and other treasures, including a
service of silver made by the famous Paul de Lamerie.
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