Chapter 1: The Emergence of Castrati

The process of creating castrati was brutal, yet it resulted in some of the most extraordinary singers in history.

In the early years of Franz Joseph Haydn, he was sent to Vienna to join the chorus at St. Stephen's Cathedral. This prestigious ensemble was a coveted position, requiring exceptional vocal talent to perform for the highest echelons of society, including Empress Maria Theresa. However, as puberty approached, Haydn faced a dilemma: he could undergo the painful procedure of becoming a castrato or risk losing his high-pitched voice altogether.

Choosing to retain his masculinity, Haydn avoided this fate, but countless boys were not so fortunate. Many were forcibly castrated, often after being drugged and restrained. Between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, an estimated one hundred thousand boys underwent this surgery, with most being operated on before the age of nine. The result was not only a distinctive voice but also physical traits such as hairlessness, enlarged breasts, and atypically tall statures.

The Catholic Church played a significant role in the demand for castrati, as choir masters sought male singers who could reach higher vocal registers. Despite the potential for female singers, women were banned from performing in church choirs until as late as 1905.

Castration was not limited to the realm of opera. In eighteenth-century Russia, the Skoptsy religious sect practiced castration as a means to suppress sexual urges. Their rituals involved extreme self-mutilation, while in 1950s Denmark, repeat sex offenders were given the option of castration as a form of punishment, with some studies indicating that only 5% reoffended.

The Science Behind Castration

Understanding the medical practices surrounding castration is key to grasping the unique vocal abilities of castrati. Rather than removing the pen