Caffarelli [Gaetano Marjorano]. (1710–1783)
Signed 1762 Receipt
Scarce signature of the Italian mezzo-soprano castrato, one of 18th century's most important opera singers, boldly penned at the conclusion of a receipt. DS, in Italian, signed 'Gaetano Majorano,' one page, 8.75 x 6.25, February 22, 1762. In fine condition, with few spots of toning and edge toning.Majorano, who took the stage name Caffarelli, is one of the rarest and most desirable signatures of any opera performer in history.
"After studying under Porpora at Naples, he made his début at Rome in 1726, in a female part in Sarro’s Valdemaro. His success was rapid: he sang in Venice, Turin, Milan and Florence before returning to Rome in 1730 as chamber virtuoso to the Grand Duke of Tuscany...Over the next 20 years he appeared at Naples in operas by Pergolesi, Porpora, Hasse, Perez, Leo, Latilla, Sarro, Vinci, Cocchi, Abos and others, and latterly (1751–3) in Traetta’s Farnace, Giuseppe Conti’s Attalo rè di Bitinia, Gluck’s La clemenza di Tito and Lampugnani’s Didone....He appeared frequently elsewhere, in Rome again in 1735, Milan in 1736 and London in 1737–8, when he made his début at the King’s Theatre in the pasticcio Arsace and created the title roles in Handel’s Faramondo and Serse. He also appeared in Madrid by royal invitation in 1739...In 1753 Louis XV invited him to Versailles and he remained in France until 1754, singing in several works by Hasse, but left under a cloud after seriously wounding a poet in a duel....Caffarelli's voice was a high mezzo-soprano. The compass in the two parts Handel wrote for him is b to a 3. By many judges he was ranked second only to Farinelli, and by some above him. According to Burney, 'Porpora, who hated him for his insolence, used to say, that he was the greatest singer Italy had ever produced.'" (Winton Dean, Grove Online) (5852)
Autograph Letter Opera