Castrati singers
were the most popular singers of the 17th and 18th centuries when women, following
St. Paul's admonition, were held to strict silence in church and on the stage.
The singular term castrato refers to a male singer who as a boy showed
great vocal promise and was consequently castrated so he could sing female roles
well after puberty. Male
roles were composed for the castrato as well. In
those days being one was a ticket to fame and fortune.
The amputative practice has long been discontinued; and happily today's closest
equivalent, the countertenor, sings intact.