Nicolo Grimaldi

Nicolò Francesco Leonardo Grimaldi, known as Nicolini (* 1673 in Naples, † 1732 ) was a Neapolitan singer (soprano ). He was as one of the famous castrato singers and opera performer of his time.

Life

Grimaldi debuted with twelve years in a Page role. After successes in Italy, he became in 1708 the first castrato on a London stage; In his performances, the ticket prices were increased. He sang in 1711 in the title role in the premiere of Georg Friedrich Handel's opera Rinaldo and thus helped the composer in his debut in London for the brilliant success; next to Handel composed for him in 1715 the opera Amadigi.

In later years, while his voice sank with age becoming an old, Grimaldi celebrated further success in major opera productions; so he worked together with Marianna Benti Bulgarelli 1724 at Domenico Natale Sarro Tragedia per musica Didone abbandonata with, the first setting of a libretto by Pietro Metastasio. Johann Adolf Hasse wrote for him the role of Artabano in the opera Artaserse (Venice 1730), which contains the famous aria " Pallido il sole ". Giovanni Battista Pergolesi had Grimaldi for the role of Marziano in his opera Sallustia (Naples 1732) provided the singer died, however, before the premiere.

Grimaldi was one of the few castrati, have been praised not only for her singing skills, but also because of her acting talent of contemporaries; famous was his fight with a lion in the opera L' Idaspe fedele by Francesco Mancini, so it is not surprising that he made a series of dramatic demanding character roles became in his later years when he was no longer able to act as "Primo uomo " occur.