Castrati Essay

There are many monumental eras throughout musical history. The Baroque musical period dates from the end of the Renaissance era, approximately 1600 to the beginning of the Classical music era, around 1750. The baroque musical era is notable for many changes in the arts including the development of the opera and the castrato. The castrato, introduced to the society during the 16th century, famously known for their male sopranos with voices of great range, flexibility and power. Also known as the castrati, these male singers were castrated in childhood to preserve the treble pitch of their voice prior to transitioning into adulthood. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “the practice of castration, produced an adult voice
According to Sarah Bardwell, director of the Handel House Museum in London, "The best castrati were superstars, admired by audiences, appreciated by composers and adored by female fans.” Due to their full voices and wide range, composers sought out the castrati to sing and perform their works much like song writers and publishing companies today seek out artists. The castrati had the ability to adapt the melodies to fit their voice. Its been documented that many of the great castrati all had their own preferences on what operas they would partake in, how they would enter an arena, begin a show, negotiate wages, and advise on their wardrobe. Also, when two castrati were performing together, it was common for them to offend one another by overriding each others techniques if they weren’t both well represented in the opera. Farinelli was known for his respect, modesty, work ethic, technicality, intelligence, and friendships. Caffarelli was a castrati known for leaving his operas midway to converse with women, insult his audience, impresarios and singers and refuse to sing with his partners. According to Boy Choir Costumes: History—Castriati, “Marchesi who insisted that his first appearance on stage, no matter which opera he happened to be performing, had to consist of himself at the top of a hill, carrying a lance and wearing a helmet adorned with red and white feathers. He also had to open every opera with the line "Where am I?" followed by a trumpet fanfare, after which he would sing an aria which was perfectly suited to show off his voice as he marched slowly down to the footlights to meet his adoring audience.” http://histclo.com/act/choir/hist/choir-histcas.html Similar to popstars today, not all were fans of the castrati. Some looked down on their ways. People frowned upon their lifestyles. These men were not permitted to marry in the church although many fraternized with women. They accumulated