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Sound Clip: Alessandro Moreschi The Last Castrato
The Castrati were men who were forcibly castrated at an early age in order to ensure that they would not experience the hormonal changes of puberty that lead to the lowering of the male voice. This meant that as adult men they sang like a modern soprano (they retained their boy soprano voices). After the Catholic Church ensured that all nations banned the practice, Pope Leo XIII took the remaining Castrati into the care of the Sistine Chapel Choir to guarantee them a quiet life (at the time they had become the subject of ridicule). Moreschi is the only castrato to be recorded solo. In this recording he is over 50 years old and had lost much of the quality of his voice – nevertheless the resulting recording is incredibly eerie. You can read more about Moreschi and Castrati in general at the Cogitz article Castrati: Castrated for the Love of Music.
So fascinating. I remember reading about the Castrati in an Ann Rice book. Very trippy to hear one, no matter what his age.
This man’s voice haunts my soul – and other parts of my body.
I’ve been meaning to write about this and fortunately, or unfortunately, you reminded me.
Ah! Listen to that old man’s soprano voice behind the crackling low quality recording. And the extreme close-up shoot of his face doesn’t help either . . .
That is crazy. What an amazing range, but still unbelievable to think it is a man. All I have to say is Wow!
Peace,
Mike