The castrati in opera / Angus Heriot

Angus Heriot

The period when the castrati, male eunuch singers, were the toast of Europe, was probably the richest period of opera history in both terms of works produced and performed, and of public enthusiasm. The origins of the use of male singers with a female vocal range is shrouded in mystery, but the reign of the castrati was a long one and with their decline the art of bel canto singing declined too.