Farinelli (1994)

Farinelli, is the artistic name of Carlo Broschi, a young singer in Handel's time. He was castrated in his childhood in order to preserve his voice. During his life he becomes to be a very ... See full summary »

Director:

Gérard Corbiau

Writers:

Andrée Corbiau (original scenario), Gérard Corbiau (original scenario)

Stars:

Stefano Dionisi, Enrico Lo Verso, Elsa Zylberstein

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stefano Dionisi	...	Carlo Broschi (Farinelli)
Enrico Lo Verso	...	Riccardo Broschi
Elsa Zylberstein	...	Alexandra
Caroline Cellier	...	Margareth Hunter
Marianne Basler	...	Countess Mauer
Jacques Boudet	...	Felipe V
Graham Valentine	...	Prince of Wales
Pier Paolo Capponi	...	Broschi
Renaud du Peloux de Saint Romain	...	Benedict Hunter
Delphine Zentout	...	Young admirer
Omero Antonutti	...	Nicola Porpora
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Georg Friedrich Händel
Richard Reeves
Jonathan Fox
Jo Betzing	...	(as Josef Betzing)

Storyline

Farinelli, is the artistic name of Carlo Broschi, a young singer in Handel's time. He was castrated in his childhood in order to preserve his voice. During his life he becomes to be a very famous opera singer, managed by his mediocre brother (Riccardo).

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | male protagonist | secret | brother castrates brother | italy | 

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Taglines:

Où s'arrête le pouvoir de sa voix?

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for depiction of adult themes and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

France Italy Belgium UK

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

17 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Farinelli (Il castrato)

Filming Locations:

Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,122,948

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stéphan Films, MG, Italian International Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Belgium's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 67th Academy Awards.

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Goofs

LIGHTING. In scenes that show stage lights and chandeliers, the focus on them is softened, but it can still be seen that the "lamps" and "candles" are in fact far too steady, and too smokeless, to be or to contain live flame. Gaslight was not brought into theatres until just after 1800 (in England), and limelight -- with real quicklime -- around 1820. Also, some outdoor lighting -- outside palaces, etc. -- is obviously too bright, blue- or green-shaded, smokeless, and sharp-edged to come from a bonfire.

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Quotes

Carlo Broschi: [on Riccardo's opera "Orpheo"] You'll never finish it!

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Connections

Featured in The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1995)

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Soundtracks

Generoso risvegliati, o core
[Poro's Solo: Act II, Scene 4 [from Opera "Cleofide"(Alessandro nell'Indie)]
Composed by Johann Adolf Hasse, Libretto by Michelangelo Boccardi, Pietro Metastasio .
Vocals performed by Ewa Malas-Godlewska (Soprano) and Derek Lee Ragin (Countertenor)

User Reviews

Castrated story but enjoyable

I think some long periods of Farinelli's life are left out. The film is too focused on his love life, making it definitely a female movie. There were a lot of other aspects to explore. We also get to see the obligatory scenes of audiences being mesmerized by opera, as if they were some island natives and not opera house regulars. Nevertheless, being a high budget movie, it has great costumes and beautiful scenery. Most of all you get the chance to explore the divine music of Haendel.