Informed by her professional experience as an opera and concert singer, Dr Anne Desler’s research focuses on early 18th-century opera singers, in particular the star castrati Nicola Grimaldi ‘Nicolino’ and Carlo Broschi Farinelli.
The role of first-rate singers in the operatic production process extended far beyond performing their parts. They often exerted influence on casting and choice of subject matter, collaborating very closely with librettists and composers and effectively co-authoring their roles.
Unlike Farinelli, the paradigm for castrato virtuosity in opera studies and popular culture alike, Grimaldi (1673-1732) has remained a fairly obscure figure despite his tremendous fame and influence during his 47-year career. Anne’s current research project, funded by a Leverhulme Research Fellowship, explores Grimaldi’s outstanding and unusually comprehensive career as a singer, actor, director and networker.
From the evaluation of his circa 120 operatic roles and relationships with composers, poets, singers, impresarios and patrons, Grimaldi emerges as a key player in the leading centres of early 18th-century opera, Venice and Naples. A first famous jet-setter, Grimaldi disseminated Neapolitan singing and acting style, made a crucial contribution to the establishment of Italian opera in London, developed a unique profile as a stage director and launched the career of opera history’s most influential librettist, Pietro Metastasio.
In addition to shedding light on the elusive dramatic performance practice of early 18th-century Italian opera, Anne also explores the socio-cultural and aesthetic context within which leading practitioners like Grimaldi had to continuously court the favour and attention of their mostly aristocratic audiences.
