Lodestars: Shirley Collins' Favourite Albums | Page 9 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

8. Christophe RoussetFarinelli, Il Castrato: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

I loved this film! It’s about a fantastic Italian castrato singer who came to London in the 18th century. there’s one scene where he sings ‘Lascia Ch’io Pianga’ so exquisitely to Handel, that Handel rips his wig off, he’s so excited. It’s very sensuous music, and I love counter-tenors [the highest singing register for men, roughly equivalent to the range of a mezzo-soprano or alto], although tor this film they got the voice of a soprano and counter-tenor are blended them together. It’s really beautiful stuff.

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