Farinelli

REVIEW
The tumultuous life of castrato singer Farinelli (nee Carlo Broschi), along with his co-dependent relationship with his brother, is bombastically explored in this absorbing if predictable period drama. Set in 18th-century France, the story revolves around the passionate, ambitious and handsome singer (Dionisi), whose beautiful voice -- preserved through a traumatic castration as a boy -- becomes his instrument for success. Riding the coattails of that success is his brother Ricardo (Lo Verso), a much less talented composer, and their intense love/hate relationship extends to their careers and romantic affairs. Krabbé is very good as composer Handel who both admires, envies and admonishes the young singer. An elegant drama of unchecked ambition that sadly suffers from operatic excess, Farinelli could be called the Lisztomania for the opera set. (French and Italian with English subtitles)