VALERIANO PELLEGRINI

'Valeriano Pellegrini' (''circa'' 1663 - 18 January 1746) was an Italian soprano castrato singer of the 18th century. He is largely remembered today for his association with the composer George Frederic Handel, whom he sung for in Italy and then later followed to London. He sang the role of Nero in Handel's opera ''Agrippina'' at the work's initial run in Venice, a part which demands a high level of technical skill. His first performance in London was a concert at the Old Spring Garden in the April 1712, and during his time in London performed several roles in operas by Handel; among them Murtillo in ''Il pastor fido'', the title role in ''Teseo'', and Lepidus in ''Lucio Silla''. Having lost his voice in 1728, he retired from singing and became a priest.

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★ Winton Dean: "Pellegrini, Valeriano", ''Grove Music Online'' ed L. Macy (Accessed 16 January 2007), grovemusic.com, subscription access.