Giovanni Carestini Italian singer, castrato Country: Italy

Biography of Giovanni Carestini

Giovanni Carestini was born in 1704 in Filottrano, Ancona, Italy. At the age of 12, he underwent the castration procedure, which was common at the time for young boys with promising singing voices. He was raised under the patronage of the Cusani family and adopted the pseudonym Cusanino as a tribute to them.

In the early 1720s, Carestini began his career and quickly gained recognition. In 1721, he had the opportunity to perform for the renowned Italian composer Alessandro Scarlatti in Rome. From then on, his career soared as he performed in major theaters across Europe, including Naples, Venice, Rome, Munich, and London. Carestini's concerts were always filled to capacity, and his voice was widely regarded as one of the most powerful and beautiful of his time.

Being a castrato, Carestini possessed a wide vocal range, which allowed him to perform even the most challenging compositions. His innate charisma and artistry captivated audiences and won over even the harshest critics. The allure of his talent was further heightened by the unconventional nature of castrati singers, which added a touch of intrigue for his admirers.

Carestini gained the most fame for his performances of operas and operettas by George Frideric Handel, who greatly admired the singer. His renditions of Handel's works, including "Arianna in Creta," "Ariodante," and "Esther," became legendary in the annals of world art.

However, in the 1740s, the musical landscape began to change, and Carestini struggled to adapt to the new conditions. While he briefly performed works by Christoph Willibald Gluck and received recognition, the same level of excitement surrounding his performances dwindled.

One of Carestini's last performances was in July 1758, when he sang the heroic opera "Ezio" by Italian composer Gaetano Latilla. A few years later, Giovanni Carestini passed away in his hometown of Filottrano and was laid to rest there.

Even today, talented castrato performers like Carestini are remembered in Europe. In 2007, a disc was released featuring the compositions that brought Carestini worldwide fame.