09/12/1610, Perugia, Italy - 08/09/1680, same place
Italian castrato singer. He is said to have possessed "extraordinary endurance of breath, flexibility of voice and depth of emotion". He received many honors from royalty and the nobles of various countries, and was one of the most renowned singers of his time. In 1654 he journeyed to Sweden to sing by request before Queen Christine, his voice even then being famous throughout Europe. He was made a knight of St. Mark of Venice in 1643, sonnets were written in his honor, and he was crowned by his countrymen with roses.
