Caffarelli (stage name for Gaetano Majorano)
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Caffarelli (stage name for Gaetano Majorano): (b. Bari, Mar. 8 or Apr. 16, 1703 or 1710; d. San Dorato, near Naples, July 4, 1783). Castrato, harpsicordist, composer and opera singer. One of the most famous castrato male sopranos of his day, he took his stage name from a certain Demenico Caffaro, one of his early sponsers. He studied under Norcia and Niccolo Porpora, the latter training him for six years using a single sheet of exercises. In 1724, when he debuted in Rome singing a female role, he gained instant public acclaim. In 1738, he appeared for the time in London, where he performed Handel’s Faramondo and Serse. He then returned to Italy where he continued his successful singing career. Caffarelli often performed in the Teatro San Carlo in Naples and was famous for his rivalry with Gioacchino Conti (Gizziello). In a single 3-month period in 1740, he earned $1,500, at that time a considerable sum. He also received a similar amount as a gift of appreciation from the city of Venice. By the time he retired at the age of 65, he was one of the richest men in Italy and had purchased two palaces as well as the title of duke for himself. According to some sources, Caffarelli became a castrato by his own choice over the objections of his father. As his fame grew, he became increasingly arrogant and quarrelsome in his nature, and his temper sometime resulted in his being jailed. He even fought a duel with poet Ballot de Savout over the merits of French and Italian opera. The composer Handel wrote a number of operatic pieces especially for Caffarelli.