Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

castrati

noun

/kæsˈtrɑːti/

Definition

Castrati were male singers who were castrated before puberty to prevent their voices from changing, allowing them to retain a high vocal range.

Examples

Castrati were highly sought after in the 17th and 18th centuries for their extraordinary vocal abilities.
Famous castrati like Farinelli captivated audiences with their powerful voices.
The practice of creating castrati has been widely criticized and is no longer accepted.

Meaning

The term ‘castrati’ refers to the unique category of male singers who were intentionally castrated to preserve their treble voices, which were valued in opera and sacred music during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.