Atto Melani

Atto Melani (* 1626 in Pistoia, † 1714 in Paris ) was an Italian Kastratensänger, diplomat, spy and writer.

Life

Melani was born as the third of seven children in a poor Glöcknerfamilie in the Tuscan town of Pistoia. In childhood, Melani was castrated because he should be Kastratensänger. His brothers Alessandro Melani and Jacopo Melani were important composers.

As a singer Melani was quickly becoming a celebrity, so went to, among others, the rumor that his singing would be a cure for snakebite. The French poet Jean de La Fontaine praised his singing in a poem after he witnessed a performance of the opera " Orfeo " by Luigi Rossi with Melani in the lead role.

His great singing talent eventually led him to the French court of Louis XIV. Cardinal Jules Mazarin led him to the art of espionage, which he soon mastered just as well as the vocals. During his concerts he came to the European royal courts, were further coded messages and collected secrets.

1657 Melani was sent by Mazarin to Bavaria, where he was the france friendly Elector Ferdinand persuaded to stand for election of the Holy Roman Emperor. The project failed. Nevertheless, praised Cardinal Mazarin him for his great negotiating skills, his position was further strengthened.

After Mazarin's sudden death in 1661 to Melani's luck changed in France. A few months later, the Superintendent of Finance, Nicolas Fouquet was arrested and imprisoned at the behest of Louis XIV. It became public that Melani was a friend of Fouquet. Louis XIV, who Melani already knew since childhood and had a very confidential relationship with him, learned that his letters were copied from Atto. Result was a fifteen-year exile. Melani fled to Rome.

In Rome Atto was taken by Cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi, like he was from Pistoia. Melani also enjoyed the support of Mary Mancini, the niece of Mazarin in Rome. With it, the castrato led for over forty years a correspondence.

1667 Pope Alexander VII died in subsequent conclave, from the Attos Rospigliosi patrons as Pope Clement IX. should indicate he was his assistant. This was probably a unique opportunity to mark, to learn the secrets of the election from the inside know. Furthermore, the extent to which the choice Melani Clement IX. influence can only be speculated. Fact is that Louis XIV was more than satisfied with the outcome of the election. Thanks to its services for France 's exile was lifted after the papal election, and he was a spy of the Sun King at the Papal court and a specialist in conclaves. In addition Atto received the title of Abbé and an annual Zehrgeld of three thousand livres.

Melani resigned in 1668 Palazzo Colonna the last time as a singer. From now on, he devoted himself exclusively to politics and diplomacy. He has authored numerous reports and memoranda of Rome and the German principalities, mediated between the French court and senior cardinals and was arbitrator in disputes between Italian city-states.

Atto Melani died at the age of 88 years in 1714 in Paris.

Work

His legacy was impressive: there was among them, in addition to bank deposits, palaces and estates, both in Italy and in France, a sizeable library. His original 108 -volume correspondence with important contemporaries valid until a table of contents to be lost.

The Italian authors Rita Monaldi and Francesco product range found during the research for her novel Imprimatur a font Melanis to Louis XIV, which was published under the title The Secrets of the conclaves and the vices of the Cardinals (ISBN 3-608-93737-4 ). Both imprimatur as well as the successor novels Secretum and Veritas provides Melani one of the central figures dar.