[Sacrifice was an art: the voice of the castrato]

Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord). 2011;132(1):57-60.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduced in Europe through the mozarabic civilization during the IXth century, the castrato will reign on Baroc Opera theaters in Europe in the XVllth and XVlllth century and will progressively disappear in the XIXth century. Castration is responsible pour morphologic changes not only of the larynx, but also of the skeleton and visceral tissues. These anatomic particularities mixed with a stupefying vocal technic, will create one of the most extraordinary vocal phenomenon of the history of singing, but the price to pay was so high.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Europe
  • History, 17th Century
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Music / history*
  • Orchiectomy*
  • Puberty
  • Voice*