Farinelli Page #3

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It's ruining your makeup.

I'll come for your answer

after the performance...

in your dressing room.

We'll talk things over.

Signor Broschi!

How is he?

He's asleep.

I must see him!

- I'll wait all night if necessary.

- What do you want?

I really have to speak to him.

It's urgent.

I'm here.

No, I'm sorry.

My message is not for you.

It's for Signor Farinelli

in person.

- In person?

- In person.

I'll come...

for your answer...

in your dressing room."

Where is he?

Who?

Maestro Handel.

Where is he?

The performance was canceled.

He left like everyone else.

He was supposed to come.

Who are you?

Alexandra.

I'm Alexandra Lerris.

But you don't know me.

I've brought you a message...

from Maestro Porpora.

He's desperate.

He needs you. Do you hear me?

Do you hear me?

Look at me.

Since he took over the Nobles Theater,

he's fought hard.

But he's being ruined

by the King's and Handel's theater.

His competition

has an unfair advantage.

He needs you, Farinelli.

He does.

You must help Porpora.

Come to London.

- Come help him.

- I'm afraid he didn't hear you.

It's the opium.

London, 1734

Try this wine,

Signor Farinelli.

I have it sent from France

from the vineyards...

that I inherited

from my father.

Would you kindly look

in my direction?

I know I look frightening,

but I'm really quite nice.

Forgive me.

How old are you, child?

How strange.

Child is what

my mother calls me.

I'm 12.

But I'm really much older.

That's the big advantage

of being ill.

My name is Benedict.

But I'm not blessed at all.

Would your singers

defect to Covent Garden?

Sell themselves to Handel?

All's fair in the war

between our theaters.

And the singers know it.

Some of them extort

a fortune from us.

I suspect Handel

encourages such blackmail.

I doubt that he'd meet

their demands.

Although the King

supports his theater...

he's almost as broke

as we are.

Is my nose out of place?

Why are you staring at me?

I admire your nerve, madame...

in daring to defy Handel.

Women are very strong,

Signor Farinelli.

Men's weaknesses

make it necessary.

Bravo! Fantastic!

What is that?

Put those flowers away.

You look ridiculous.

Alexandra,

there's his brother.

Beware of Riccardo.

They say

that the Broschi brothers...

share everything,

even their conquests.

I know I'm late.

But you've provoked such an uproar.

Here we are, alone,

while all of London clamors for you.

Carlo, dear brother, you're crazy.

But I love you.

When I said you wouldn't

attend the reception, it was as if...

I'd announced

the end of the world!

I'm flattered, Carlo.

Flattered and moved.

Yes, yes. I'm moved.

And dying of hunger

and thirst.

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