"For all its emotional extravagance and sheer Baroque lushness, Farinelli is actually a triumph of taut control and superb structuring." Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

"Great fun and sufficiently thoughtful and complex to give food for continuing thought." Arthur Lazere, Culture Vulture

In the 18th century during Handel’s time, no man was more famous or more celebrated than the castrato, Farinelli. The incredible, true story of the world famous opera singer – who was castrated during childhood in order to preserve his voice – comes to life in this Oscar-nominated drama of high notes and even higher passions.

The pop sensation of the mid 1700s, Farinelli (Stefano Dionisi) was closely bound to his brother, Riccardo (Enrico Lo Verso), who became in effect his personal composer, manager, and his stand-in for Farinelli’s bedroom trysts. But when the great Handel (Jeroen Krabbe) comes courting, Riccardo is determined to block his path…