The Classical Music Minute
The Classical Music Minute is a short, engaging classical music podcast that explores the stories, composers, and curious traditions behind the world’s greatest music.
Ever wondered who the Florentine Camerata were? Where the conductor’s baton came from? Or what the difference is between opera buffa and opera seria?
Hosted by Canadian composer and storyteller Steven Hobé, each episode offers a quick and entertaining journey through classical music history, uncovering fascinating facts about composers, famous works, opera, orchestras, and musical traditions.
Whether you’re a lifelong music lover or simply curious about classical music, hop around music history with Steven—one musical minute at a time.
The Classical Music Minute
Who were the Castrati?
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In this episode, I explore the history and impact that Castrati made on the musical scene of the time. They were indeed a powerful force, both literally and figuratively in shaping musical dexterity, virtuosity, and prowess.
Fun Fact
Alessandro Moreschi was the last castrato to sing in the Sistine Chapel choir. He would retire in 1913, thus ending the Castrati legacy.
About Steven
Steven is a Canadian composer living in Toronto. He creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his website for more.
A Note To Music Students et al.
All recordings and sheet music are available on my site. I encourage you to take a look and play through some. Give me a shout if you have any questions.
Got a topic? Pop me off an email at: TCMMPodcast@Gmail.com
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Hi, I’m Steven Hobé.
So, who were the castrati? Well, they were male singers who were castrated before puberty, one of the side effects being that they could hit and retain very high notes.
The operation itself was never legal and likely performed by some questionable members of the medical profession.
Families would create elaborate backstories of their sons getting into accidents, such as falling off horses or being attacked by wild boars.
Castrato singers first appeared in Europe in the mid-16th century. But really hit their stride in the 17th and 18th centuries on the operatic stage.
Castrati would wow audiences by holding notes for a superhuman amount of time with skill and dexterity.
One such star of the stage was known as Farinelli, who could hit an A below middle C up to the D two octaves above middle C. Wow indeed!
At the end of the 19th-century hiring castrati was banned by the church. Today women or countertenors adopt these roles into their repertoire.