Atto Melani
Encyclopedia
Atto Melani was a famous Italian castrato
opera singer, also employed as a diplomat
and a spy
.
, the third of seven sons of a local bell-ringer. He was castrated at a young age so that he could become a singer. Three other brothers also became castrati, along with two cousins. His brothers Alessandro Melani
and Jacopo Melani
both became celebrated composer
s.
He soon attracted the patronage of nobleman Mattias de' Medici
. While their precise relationship is unclear, it appears that Melani may have been a lover of Mattias. He was probably also hoping for a rise to power during an affair with Duke Carlo II of Mantua. Although Melani's letters never confirm this affair directly, the circumstantial evidence is convincing, including the indication that both men had sex with the same page at the court of Innsbruck
.
Melani quickly became famous nevertheless and stories circulated that his voice was the result of being bitten by a snake. His most celebrated role was as Orfeo
in the opera by Luigi Rossi which premiered in 1647. His fame took Melani to the court of Louis XIV of France, effectively promoted as a gift from the Medici to the opera-loving Queen Anne. Cardinal Mazarin thereupon introduced him to the world of espionage, where Melani quickly shone as he had in music. He took advantage of concerts held in the European courts to send messages and discover secrets. In 1657 Melani was sent by Mazarin to Bavaria
to persuade the prince elector Ferdinand, a friend of France, to put himself forward as candidate for Holy Roman Emperor
. Although the operation ultimately failed, Mazarin came to appreciate Melani's diplomatic abilities even more.
Mazarin's death reversed Melani's fortunes. Especially damaging was his closeness to the superintendent of finances, Nicolas Fouquet
, who was arrested and imprisoned. Louis XIV had known Melani from infancy and had great confidence in him, but after discovering Melani had copied his letters to Fouquet decided to publicly exile him. There is also suggestion that the husband of Hortense Mancini (niece of Cardinal Mazarin) convinced Louis of exile, apparently out of fear of an affair with his wife.
He left France for Rome
, where he spent the next 15 years. In Rome, he entered the service of Cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi, also from Pistoia. He also continued to enjoy favour with Maria Mancini, niece of Mazzarin, with whom he maintained a correspondence of more than forty years.
After the death of Pope Alexander VII
, Melani's patron Rospigliosi rose to the papacy as Clement IX. Melani took part in the conclave as an assistant, but it is unknown if he played a role in influencing the election. In response Louis XIV, very happy at the outcome of the conclave, removed the ban on Melani and awarded him the title of Abbot
with an annual income.
In 1668 Melani sang for the last time at Palazzo Colonna
, and from then on dedicated himself exclusively to politics and diplomacy, writing several books on Rome, advising the King of France, mediating with the German princes, and acting as go-between among the Italian States. Melani died at the age of 88 in 1714 in Paris. The assets he left in his will were significant: besides rich buildings and warehouses in Italy and France, he also left a large library.
Melani has been the object in recent years in the novels by Rita Monaldi
and Francesco Sorti
beginning with Imprimatur
and continuing with Secretum. The two authors published some documents written from Melani including a letter to Louis XIV.
Castrato
A castrato is a man with a singing voice equivalent to that of a soprano, mezzo-soprano, or contralto voice produced either by castration of the singer before puberty or one who, because of an endocrinological condition, never reaches sexual maturity.Castration before puberty prevents a boy's...
opera singer, also employed as a diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and a spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
.
Life
Melani was born in PistoiaPistoia
Pistoia is a city and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy, the capital of a province of the same name, located about 30 km west and north of Florence and is crossed by the Ombrone Pistoiese, a tributary of the River Arno.-History:...
, the third of seven sons of a local bell-ringer. He was castrated at a young age so that he could become a singer. Three other brothers also became castrati, along with two cousins. His brothers Alessandro Melani
Alessandro Melani
Alessandro Melani was an Italian composer and the brother of composer Jacopo Melani, and castrato singer Atto Melani. Along with Bernardo Pasquini and Alessandro Scarlatti, he was one of the leading composers active in Rome during the 17th century...
and Jacopo Melani
Jacopo Melani
Jacopo Melani was an Italian composer and violinist of the Baroque era. He was born and died in Pistoia, and was the brother of composer Alessandro Melani and singer Atto Melani.-Works:...
both became celebrated composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
s.
He soon attracted the patronage of nobleman Mattias de' Medici
Mattias de' Medici
Mattias de' Medici was the third son of Grand Duke Cosimo II de' Medici of Tuscany and Archduchess Maria Maddalena of Austria. He was governor of Siena, with interruptions, from 1629. He never married.-Biography:...
. While their precise relationship is unclear, it appears that Melani may have been a lover of Mattias. He was probably also hoping for a rise to power during an affair with Duke Carlo II of Mantua. Although Melani's letters never confirm this affair directly, the circumstantial evidence is convincing, including the indication that both men had sex with the same page at the court of Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
.
Melani quickly became famous nevertheless and stories circulated that his voice was the result of being bitten by a snake. His most celebrated role was as Orfeo
Orfeo (Rossi)
Orfeo is an opera in three acts, a prologue and an epilogue by the Italian composer Luigi Rossi. The libretto, by Francesco Buti, is based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orfeo was first performed at the Palais-Cardinal, Paris on 2 March 1647...
in the opera by Luigi Rossi which premiered in 1647. His fame took Melani to the court of Louis XIV of France, effectively promoted as a gift from the Medici to the opera-loving Queen Anne. Cardinal Mazarin thereupon introduced him to the world of espionage, where Melani quickly shone as he had in music. He took advantage of concerts held in the European courts to send messages and discover secrets. In 1657 Melani was sent by Mazarin to Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
to persuade the prince elector Ferdinand, a friend of France, to put himself forward as candidate for Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
. Although the operation ultimately failed, Mazarin came to appreciate Melani's diplomatic abilities even more.
Mazarin's death reversed Melani's fortunes. Especially damaging was his closeness to the superintendent of finances, Nicolas Fouquet
Nicolas Fouquet
Nicolas Fouquet, marquis de Belle-Île, vicomte de Melun et Vaux was the Superintendent of Finances in France from 1653 until 1661 under King Louis XIV...
, who was arrested and imprisoned. Louis XIV had known Melani from infancy and had great confidence in him, but after discovering Melani had copied his letters to Fouquet decided to publicly exile him. There is also suggestion that the husband of Hortense Mancini (niece of Cardinal Mazarin) convinced Louis of exile, apparently out of fear of an affair with his wife.
He left France for Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, where he spent the next 15 years. In Rome, he entered the service of Cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi, also from Pistoia. He also continued to enjoy favour with Maria Mancini, niece of Mazzarin, with whom he maintained a correspondence of more than forty years.
After the death of Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from...
, Melani's patron Rospigliosi rose to the papacy as Clement IX. Melani took part in the conclave as an assistant, but it is unknown if he played a role in influencing the election. In response Louis XIV, very happy at the outcome of the conclave, removed the ban on Melani and awarded him the title of Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
with an annual income.
In 1668 Melani sang for the last time at Palazzo Colonna
Palazzo Colonna
The Palazzo Colonna is a palatial block of buildings in central Rome, Italy, at the base of the Quirinal Hill, and adjacent to the church of Santi Apostoli...
, and from then on dedicated himself exclusively to politics and diplomacy, writing several books on Rome, advising the King of France, mediating with the German princes, and acting as go-between among the Italian States. Melani died at the age of 88 in 1714 in Paris. The assets he left in his will were significant: besides rich buildings and warehouses in Italy and France, he also left a large library.
Melani has been the object in recent years in the novels by Rita Monaldi
Rita Monaldi
Rita Monaldi is an Italian journalist and writer who, in collaboration with her husband, Francesco Sorti, wrote a series of literary-historical books called Imprimatur, Secretum and Veritas, with Atto Melani as a central character. She majored in classical philology and specialized in the history...
and Francesco Sorti
Francesco Sorti
Francesco Sorti is an Italian journalist who, in collaboration with his wife Rita Monaldi, wrote a series of literary-historical books called Imprimatur, Secretum and Veritas, with Atto Melani as a central character. They both live in Vienna....
beginning with Imprimatur
Imprimatur
An imprimatur is, in the proper sense, a declaration authorizing publication of a book. The term is also applied loosely to any mark of approval or endorsement.-Catholic Church:...
and continuing with Secretum. The two authors published some documents written from Melani including a letter to Louis XIV.