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For his Canadian debut, Argentinian countertenor Franco Fagioli offers a program dedicated to the castrato repertoire of the XVIIᵉ and XVIIIᵉ centuries. Taking Giovanni Battista Velluti (1780-1861), considered to be one of the last great castrati, as a reference figure in this program, the singer praised by critics for the virtuosity of his interpretations that are “unfailingly intelligent and stylistically aware” (Presto Magazine), will present works by Rossini, Mercadante, Zingarelli, Nicolini and many others, accompanied by the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles, conducted by Stefan Plewniak, also making their Canadian debut.
Ahead of the July 26 concert at the Festival de Lanaudière, PAN M 360’s Alexandre Villemaire had the opportunity to chat with the singer about the program he’ll be performing, his personal and professional background, and the complex issue of defining the human voice.