The latest album from countertenor Randall Scotting celebrates Nicolò Grimaldi, the castrato who conquered the opera world under the stage name Nicolini (1673 – 1732). The repertoire features rarely performed arias and duets from the early 18th century, nine of which have never been recorded before and have not been heard since Nicolini’s lifetime. While Nicolini is best remembered today for the music Handel wrote for him, Scotting’s program revives works by a range of composers who wrote for this castrato including Francesco Gasparini, Nicola Porpora, Riccardo Broschi, Francesco Mancini, Attilio Ariosti, and Giovanni Antonio Giaj. Divine Impresario takes its title from Nicolini’s unique role as both performer and visionary. “When I think about Nicolò Grimaldi, the word that comes to mind is impresario,” explains Scotting. “Not in the limited sense of a theatre manager, but rather as a creative force who shaped the artform itself. Nicolini wasn’t content just to stand and sing; he directed performances, he reworked libretti, and he elevated the standard of acting in opera.”  Holding a PhD from the Royal College of Music in London, Scotting is also that rare performer who has trained extensively as a scholar – a background that served him well in researching and bringing to life the repertoire he performs here. After extensive research into Nicolini’s performing career, Scotting sought out manuscripts from archives in England, Belgium, Austria, Germany, and Sweden. Choosing the best of what he found, he then meticulously created modern performing editions for all the music on his third solo album with the Academy of Ancient Music under the direction of Laurence Cummings, with guest artist, soprano Mary Bevan.