Portrait of a Castrato : Politics, Patronage, and Music in the Life of Atto Melani (Paperback)

Introduction; 1. Creating a castrato; 2. The politics of patronage: 1638?53; 3. In pursuit of prestige: 1653?5; 4. The sexuality of the castrato; 5. Disgrace and transformation: 1656?71; 6. Atto Melani and the cantata; 7. Completing the portrait: 1671?1714; Appendices: A. The letters of Atto Melani; B. Letters addressed to or concerning Atto Melani; C. Satires: Sopra Atto Melani musico and Al Signor Atto Melani; D. Excerpt from the Receuil des defenses of Nicolas Fouquet; E. Biographical sketch from Tommaso Trenta's Memorie; F. The cantata texts of Atto Melani, with analyses and translations; G. The Wills: For Italy; For France; H. The cabinet in the 'Salotto dell'Abbate Melani', from the inventory of 1782.