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Until well into the 18th century the Church of Rome did not allow women to either speak or sing in church. This was based on 1 Corinthians 14:34-35) which stated:

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” Later the Holy Roman See extended this to include theatre as well.

So in order to create falsetto singers, men were castrated. Although castration was against the law, the church figured that once the dirty deed was done, the castrated boys may as well be used. So about 4000 boys were castrated annually in Italy, either willingly or otherwise.

Castration was an ugly business. The infant was placed in a tub of warm water to soften & supple the testicles. Then the child’s jugular vein was compressed to sort of make him insensible & then his testes were removed. :-1 This was done by surgeons but more often than not by the boy’s own parents. As castration was illegal, sundry outside forces were blamed. Either the child had been bumped or some animal had butted him between his legs or a friend had thrown something at him.

Apart from a treble voice, the castrati was usually beardless & the hair on his head was thicker & more luxuriant. Around the stomach they were more prone to obesity and their breasts were womanly. However homosexuality was not more common among them then other boys.

During an opera, when a castrati had sung surpassingly well, the Italians in their rapture used to shout: “Viva il cottello! – Long life the knife!”

Holy crap!!! Now I'm dizzy.

jones jones;1364643 wrote: Until well into the 18th century the Church of Rome did not allow women to either speak or sing in church. This was based on 1 Corinthians 14:34-35) which stated:

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” Later the Holy Roman See extended this to include theatre as well.

So in order to create falsetto singers, men were castrated. Although castration was against the law, the church figured that once the dirty deed was done, the castrated boys may as well be used. So about 4000 boys were castrated annually in Italy, either willingly or otherwise.

Castration was an ugly business. The infant was placed in a tub of warm water to soften & supple the testicles. Then the child’s jugular vein was compressed to sort of make him insensible & then his testes were removed. :-1 This was done by surgeons but more often than not by the boy’s own parents. As castration was illegal, sundry outside forces were blamed. Either the child had been bumped or some animal had butted him between his legs or a friend had thrown something at him.

Apart from a treble voice, the castrati was usually beardless & the hair on his head was thicker & more luxuriant. Around the stomach they were more prone to obesity and their breasts were womanly. However homosexuality was not more common among them then other boys.

During an opera, when a castrati had sung surpassingly well, the Italians in their rapture used to shout: “Viva il cottello! – Long life the knife!”


If they were big enough to cut off it was too late. They didn't actually cut them what they did was manipulate and crush them so they did not develop. I don't remember much about the history of music but for some reason that sticks in my memory. The things parents do in the name of religion.