# - Farinelli. ("Carlo Broschi")

in which he somewhat loftily maintains that he has always acted consistently and in good faith with Cadogan and his fellow directors [of the Opera of the Nobility], asking him not raise the subject of any obligations he may still have to them, since, while they have paid him well, he has always fulfilled his duties, pointing out that he has never been diverted from acting properly by monetary inducements ("argento ò oro"), but, as he said to Sir John Buckworth ("Bocchvert"), had come to London as the famous Farinelli from Italy, served its opera house as Farinelli, and left its shores whilst always maintaining his integrity and character throughout, thanking him and Lady Cadogan profusely for acting as his patrons and asking him to convey similar expressions of thanks to Buckworth (...la grazia che io li domando, è quella d' aver la bontà, mai parlarmi della direttione...ne me Chiamerò mai obbligato alla Nobile Direttione; poichè se mi seppe ben pagare, hò saputo ancor io ben servire, e ben Ubbidire onde in questo ogn'uno hà adempito al proprio dovere...la mia gloria era quella esser in Londra venuto Farinello, dà Italia, servito nel loro Teatro dà Farinello, e partendo dalla Bell'Isola, partiva ancora Farinello..."), and including a quotation from Guarini's Il pastor fido, to the effect that a man can live anywhere as long as he is at his ease, 3 pages, folio (c.29.5 x 20cms), "Pavia" paper, annotated by the recipient on blank verso, "Arangues" (Aranjuez, near Madrid), 9 May 1738, slight damp-staining at hinge, otherwise sound

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Rare: we have no auction record for any letter by the most celebrated of all castrati, held to be the greatest singer of all time.  This letter marks his retirement from the operatic stage.  Farinelli sang in London during the years 1734-1737 for the Opera of the Nobility, deadly rivals of Handel's opera productions.  The directors were all politically aligned with Frederick Prince of Wales in opposition to the King, who favoured Handel, and included Lord Burlington, Lord Cadogan and Sir John Buckworth (see Deutsch p.305). The two companies bankrupted each other in 1737; Farinelli left London and went to Madrid in the service of Philip V of Spain, where he lived out the remainder of his unique career.   Please see the illustration on page 27.