I had a magical evening last night. The renowned countertenor James Bowman and the London Handel Players led by Laurence Cummings, travelled to the villa that Senesino built and gave a wonderful concert, organised by the Friends of Musical Events in Tuscany.

Senesino was born Santi Francesco Bernardi in October 31st 1686 in Siena, the son of a barber. He joined the Cathedral choir, and because he was so gifted vocally, at the suggestion of the President of the Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, he was castrated. In 1719 he was heard singing at a royal wedding by George Frederick Handel, who invited him to London. There he was lionised, and performed for Handel more than any other castrato. He built a sumptuous villa, and over the door he had written “twas the folly of the English had laid the foundation of it”. He lived an extraordinary life, decadent and extravagent, a rock star – he would travel everywhere with a young black boy, a monkey, and a parrot. But contentment eluded him, he was forever in dispute with his provincially-minded family in Siena, and he was obsessed with who would inherit his wealth. He died in his villa from “an apoplectic attack” after an umpteenth row with his nephew. His family ignored his will and failed to erect a tomb as he wished. They remained embarrassed by their exotic ancestor until only a few years ago, and this concert was the first event held in honour of Senesino in the villa he built since his death. It was hauntingly beautiful.

I recorded on my little camera one of the arias, I think it was “Cangio d’aspetto”, and I took a few photographs.