Gaetano Majorano, known as Caffarelli, studied under Nicola Porpora in Naples. He became Porpora’s pupil after showing early musical talent, and according to multiple sources, Porpora trained him intensively for six years, famously making him work from a single sheet of exercises. This rigorous training took place during the period when Porpora was an esteemed vocal teacher at Neapolitan conservatories.
Porpora ultimately declared that he had nothing more to teach Caffarelli, praising him as the greatest singer in Europe. Caffarelli’s later success and reputation were widely attributed to the exceptional vocal training he received from Porpora.
