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

Voci Bianche

PRJCT Amsterdam, Maarten Engeltjes, Valer Sabadus + Daan Esch
Fri 20 Feb 2026 20:15 - 22:00
Fri 20 Feb 2026
20:15 - 22:00
  • Fri 20 Feb 2026
    20:15 - 22:00
    Grote Zaal
    Tickets

Program

Arias from:
Georg Friedrich Händel Rinaldo / Giulio Cesare / Tolomeo / Dixit Dominus
Nicola Porpora Polifemo
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lucio Silla
Antonio Lotti Teofane
Riccardo Broschi Idaspe
Johann Adolf Hasse Artaserse

Credits

PRJCT Amsterdam
Maarten Engeltjes countertenor
Valer Sabadus countertenor
Daan Esch reciter

The triumph and tragedy of the castrati

Countertenor Maarten Engeltjes and his baroque ensemble PRJCT Amsterdam delve into the world of the castrati. The Flemish author and podcaster Daan Esch tells the story of castrati such as Farinello 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.

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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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PRJCT Amsterdam (photo Marco Borggreve)
Zoom in Maarten Engeltjes (photo Hans van der Woerd)
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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