Giacinto Fontana

(Redirected from Farfallino)

Domenico Giacinto Fontana (1692–1739), also known as "Farfallino", was an Italian castrato singer active primarily in Rome from 1712 to 1736. He specialised in singing soprano female roles and earned the name "Farfallino" ("Little Butterfly") for his graceful stage appearance. He was born in Perugia and died there at the age of 47.[1][2] At times he feared ridicule by performing certain roles, such as a pregnant primadonna.[3]

Domenico Giacinto Fontana
Caricature of Fontana by Pier Leone Ghezzi
Born1692
Died1739 (aged 47)
NationalityItalian
Other namesFarfallino ("Little Butterfly")
OccupationCastrato singer
Years active1712–1736
Known forSoprano female roles

Roles created

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Fontana is known to have created the following roles:[4]

References

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  1. ^ Brumana, Biancamaria (1996). "Giacinto Fontana detto Farfallino e la sua carriera nei teatri di Roma" in Saverio Franchi (ed.). Il melodramma a Roma tra Sei e Settecento, pp. 75–112. Archivio Guido Izzi.
  2. ^ Markstrom, Kurt Sven (2007). The Operas of Leonardo Vinci, Napoletano, pp. 137–138. Pendragon Press
  3. ^ Strohm, Richard (1997). Drama Per Musica: Italian Opera Seria of the Eighteenth Century. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. p. 47. ISBN 0-300-06454-3.
  4. ^ Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Fontana's performances". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).