Philippe jaroussky porpora farinelli biography

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; February 25, 2014—Thirty-six year old, cherubic-looking Philippe Jaroussky is the only countertenor (so far) with superstar status.

Unlike most in his voice category he is not an alto, either in texture or range, and while the voice is small (certainly moreso than David Daniels’ or David Hansen’s), it has a brilliant focus.

Porpora was the teacher of the legendary castrato Farinelli, and Jaroussky's portion of the concert will include three arias the Neapolitan.

Porpora was the teacher of the legendary castrato Farinelli, and Jaroussky's portion of the concert will include three arias the Neapolitan.

With this new album, star countertenor Philippe Jaroussky revives a selection of opera arias written for the most famous castrato of all, Farinelli.

Philippe Jaroussky is a French countertenor.

Jaroussky took a particular interest the music Neapolitan composer Nicola Porpora wrote for the castrato Farinelli, perhaps Porpora's most.

Born in , Philippe Jaroussky has established himself as the most admired countertenor of his generation, as confirmed by the French 'Victoires de la.

Nor would he ever be mistaken for a mezzo-soprano; if anything, he comes off at first hearing (if one has not seen him and doesn’t know) as a very gifted female lyric soprano with a startlingly pure sound. Further listenings, with an ear tuned to the countertenor sound, reveal the truth: a young man who is a great artist, with an unusually high-set, bright and sweet sound.

Add to this absolute control over pitch and vibrato and impeccable taste in embellishments and rubato, and yes, his superstar status makes sense.

He and the smooth-as-silk 20-strong ensemble the Venice Baroque Orches