Senesino - Handel's castrato

Hannah French traces the life of the Italian castrato Francesco Bernardi (otherwise known as Senesino), for whom Handel wrote many operatic roles during his time working in London.

Senesino was the superstar singer of his era. He was in demand all over Europe from a young age, but it was his association with Handel that catapulted him to stardom in England. Over a period of around ten years, Handel wrote thirteen roles for him, including the leading roles in his operas Giulio Cesare and Orlando.

Producer: Ben Collingwood.