castrato

American  

[ka-strah-toh, kuh-, kah-strah-taw] / kæˈstrɑ toʊ, kə-, kɑˈstrɑ tɔ /

noun

plural

castrati

1. a male singer, especially in the 18th century, castrated before puberty to prevent his soprano or contralto voice range from changing.

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castrato British  

/ kæˈstrɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. (in 17th- and 18th-century opera) a male singer whose testicles were removed before puberty, allowing the retention of a soprano or alto voice

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Etymology

Origin of castrato

1755–65; < Italian < Latin castrāt ( us ); castrate

Example Sentences

Arianna takes a wife for the new emperor, which tracks musically since Handel wrote Anastasio for a castrato voice that well suits a women.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2022

The celebrated castrato with whom Ms. Hallenberg has been especially associated is Carlo Maria Michelangelo Nicola Broschi — known as Farinelli.

From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2020

It was only 100 years ago that the last castrato retired, after 30 years of service in the choir.

From The Guardian • Dec. 29, 2016

Farinelli’s teeth provide additional information about his daily life, unrelated to his status as a castrato.

From Forbes • Jun. 1, 2015

In place of Senesino he obtained the castrato Bernacchi; his new first woman was Signora Strada del Po', who was a fine singer, but so unattractive in appearance that London nicknamed her "The Pig."

From Handel by Dent, Edward J.