Cry to Heaven (79 page)

Metastasio’s
Achille en Sciro
, the libretto that Guido chose for Tonio’s debut in Rome, is described in detail by Vernon Lee in her unique
Studies in the 18th Century in Italy
.

And there are many baroque operas on record today which were popular during this period.

However, for a real understanding of the music, I strongly urge the reader to seek those recordings in which female singers take the old castrato roles. The castrati were true sopranos and contraltos. And countertenors or male falsettists can give no true idea of the beauty of their voices.