The Tragic History of the Castrati: The Italian Boys Who Were Castrated to Preserve Their High Singing Voices

In the 16th century, the Vatican implemented a ban prohibiting women from singing in church choirs. However, the desire for high singing voices remained, leading choirs throughout Italy to adopt an alternative solution: employing castrati. These were young boys who had undergone castration before reaching puberty. By removing their testicles, the procedure prevented their voices from deepening during adolescence, allowing them to retain their high-pitched singing voices into adulthood.

While the castrati possessed unique vocal abilities highly prized in the music world, their lives were marked by significant hardships. Castration resulted in a lack of testosterone production, which led to various adverse effects on their bodies. The castrati often experienced abnormal bone growth, osteoporosis, and a propensity for depression.

Some fortunate castrati managed to achieve fame and fortune thanks to their exceptional voices, securing prestigious positions in renowned choirs and opera houses. However, the majority of castrati lived in poverty and obscurity throughout their lives. Many faced immense challenges and struggles, both due to the physical consequences of the castration procedure and the social stigma associated with their condition. This often led to a tragic existence until their eventual death.

@historyinmemes

Source: Facebook

I wonder why our priest doesn't talk about this on Sundays

Hmmm

Noted.

I do not know Gods mind, but I think this is a SIN...

siofra:
I wonder why our priest doesn't talk about this on Sundays

What is funny? Don't behave like the party of touts

which of you "holy pass xtians" want to give up their anaconda for the church?!

Why the preference for male singing voices over females?

It's what the homosexual priests wanted

Imagine sacrificing a body part created by God to serve God.. is it not a sin? I'm sure the boys willing gave them up cos slavery was/is another form of religion

This is what false religion can do.

What's the scriptural backing for castration? None

Only Africans with slave mentality STILL subscribe to Christianity or Islam.

siofra:
I wonder why our priest doesn't talk about this on Sundays

You are only being mischievous, cos your heading and content of the message is two different things.

Your topic made it seem like the church forced castration on them, rather they choose to be castrated in other to join choir of the church.

Or maybe you can explain better.

Very bad

That's impressive

Another topic to bash the Catholic church.

While I don't hold brief for any church,but let's not forget the fact that this article is talking about 16 century.

Let's just imagine what was going on in other cultural and religious setting at that point in time.

Another salient point, which the op failed to establish is that it was still a Roma Catholic pope who abolished the practice. It was in 1878 that Pope Leo XIII banned the church from hiring castrati.

The article also didn't do justice to the fact that in most cases that the parents are the ones who sort for their children to be castrated,so that they could achieve fame and riches.

It also failed to mention the fact that these musicians did not perform only in catholic church's. They performed in famous occasions and for the high and mighty. It was recorded that Queen Elisabetta Farnese of Spain, hired Farinelli to cure her husband of depression.

Mind you like I said earlier,am not holding brief for anybody,but let's be holistic in telling history.

How can you say they CHOSE to be castrated when the evil act was carried out on the CHILDREN BEFORE PUBERTY? Please stop defending the indefensible. It was a gross form of child abuse.

Rich4god:


You are only being mischievous, cos your heading and content of the message is two different things.

Your topic made it seem like the church forced castration on them, rather they choose to be castrated in other to join choir of the church.

Or maybe you can explain better.

Rich4god:


You are only being mischievous, cos your heading and content of the message is two different things.

Your topic made it seem like the church forced castration on them, rather they choose to be castrated in other to join choir of the church.

Or maybe you can explain better.

Are you really saying a child can consent to such a major decision over their bodies?

How many adult men alone consent to castration, unless there is something wrong with their testicles?

The useless religion. Christians will try and try to cover this atrocity. To them, there's nothing wrong with it as long as it's for their god.

Chai, religion don really destroy some people mentality. Tueh! 😭

No f fr dem

Am waiting for uncle rightousness to say some thing on this issue

DodadaKoKigbe:
Only Africans with slave mentality STILL subscribe to Christianity or Islam.

abeg which one do you subscribe to, maybe we can try it out, im a Rastafarian thiugh

siofra:
I wonder why our priest doesn't talk about this on Sundays

Do you go to chuch?

I remember one useless internet theory wey talk say Michael Jackson papa castrate am to retain e youthful voice.

lmao

Their choices.

They would never appreciate the enormity of sins they were rescued from.what calamity and sins the penis cannot lead a man to commit.does not exist!.

Theomarvelus:
I do not know Gods mind, but I think this is a SIN...

Is the highest form of evil before God and man.

Man is imperfect. It is reflected in religion, politics and our lifespans.

Alot of attrocities have been constituted by the Church. I wonder how evil the church would be some many years ago. Anbody who have read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown would understand more.

siofra:
I wonder why our priest doesn't talk about this on Sundays

Because the church is not a place of truth. The church has become a place worse than the coven of the wicked politicians.

Theomarvelus:
I do not know Gods mind, but I think this is a SIN...

A terrible sin