Around 5,000 boys were castrated annually on average in Italy during the 18th century. They almost exclusively came from poor families. The castration kept their treble voices intact with the promise for those who survived of a chance to earn fortune and fame by singing female roles in the opera. A few boys did make it, but most didn’t and were simply swept aside.
Stiletto, is a new musical set in Venice, Europe’s opera capital at the Charing Cross Theatre that features Music and Lyrics from the Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated, and three-time Grammy nominee Matthew Wilder, and a Book by double Olivier Award nominee Tim Luscombe.
Venice is a city bristling with opportunity during the winter of 1730-31. A city where life is cheap, but fortunes can be made. A city full of intrigue and opportunity for Marco, who was castrated as a child to retain his pitch-perfect voice. Opera singers were the rock stars of their day, and Marco is on course to be an 18th-century Bowie or Jagger and snag a powerful patron to get the opportunity to play leading roles.
In a busy square Marco meets Gioia, strong-willed, confident...and extremely talented. But, being the daughter of an African slave, despite her musical gifts, it's impossible for her to fulfill her dreams. Marco recognises Gioia's talent and, sensing that they are both outsiders with a shared love of music, the pair fall in love.
Marco attempts to get her on stage and introduces Gioia to society and his patron, the Contessa Azzurra. Things do not go to plan, and at the end of the evening, Gioia is hauled off to prison and a body lies dead on the floor. To free her, Marco must overcome the morally corrupt forces of the present and the demons of his past.