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Maarten Engeltjes (photo Anna van Kooij)
Maarten Engeltjes (photo Anna van Kooij)

Voci Bianche

PRJCT Amsterdam, Maarten Engeltjes, Valer Sabadus + Frans van Deursen
Fri 20 Feb 2026 20:15 - 21:45
Fri 20 Feb 2026
20:15 - 21:45
  • Fri 20 Feb 2026
    20:15 - 21:45
    Grote Zaal
    Past event

Program

Nicola Porpora Or la nube (Artaserse) / Alto Giove (Polifemo)
Georg Frideric Handel Bel contento (Flavio, Re de’ Longobardi) / Stille amare (Tolomeo, Re d’Egitto) / De Torrente (Dixit Dominus) / Spero per voi  (Ariodante) / Lascia ch’io pianga (Rinaldo)
Christoph Willibald Gluck Che farò (Orfeo ed Euridice)
Antonio Vivaldi Armatae face (Juditha Triumphans)

Credits

PRJCT Amsterdam
Maarten Engeltjes countertenor
Valer Sabadus countertenor
Frans van Deursen reciter

The triumph and tragedy of the castrati

Countertenor Maarten Engeltjes and his baroque ensemble PRJCT Amsterdam delve into the world of the castrati. Frans van Deursen tells the story of castrati such as Farinelli and Senesino. Valer Sabadus, today’s countertenor sensation, joins Engeltjes to perform both timeless classics and lesser known pieces. A semi-staged performance about the triumph and tragedy of the castrati. 

For nearly three centuries, the opera stage was dominated by castrati. This high male voice, a result of castration, was especially prevalent in southern European countries. This was largely due to the fact that women were forbidden to perform in public by Catholic powers during the early Baroque period. The practice of castration led to great dramas and equally great triumphs. And to masterful arias such as Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga from Rinaldo.

Daan Esch, who was originally scheduled to perform, has had to cancel due to to health reasons. He will be replaced by Frans van Deursen.

Porgramme booklet (Dutch)

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PRJCT Amsterdam (photo Marco Borggreve)
PRJCT Amsterdam (photo Marco Borggreve)
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Maarten Engeltjes (photo Hans van der Woerd)
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Valer Sabadus (photo Schneider Photography)
Zoom in Valer Sabadus (photo Schneider Photography)
Valer Sabadus (photo Schneider Photography)
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