Deriving opera from operation

Journal/Book: Aust N Z J Surg. 1999; 69: 672-4.

Abstract: Male castration has been practised for centuries in many parts of the world. In Italy in the 16th to the 19th centuries it was performed for the purpose of preserving the soprano voice of boys. The castrati performed in the church choirs, but in the field of opera they achieved the popularity and status of the modern day rock singers. An outline of the operative procedure is given with its physiological consequences, and mention is made of some of the singers who achieved fame at that time. Recently an attempt has been made to reproduce the sound of the castrato voice using the facilities of modern electronic technology.

Keyword(s): History of Medicine, 16th Cent.. History of Medicine, 17th Cent.. History of Medicine, 18th Cent.. History of Medicine, 19th Cent.. Human. Italy. Male. Music/history. Orchiectomy/history. Voice

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