Castrato

A castrato was a male singer who was castrated before puberty to preserve his high vocal range. This procedure prevented the vocal cords from changing during adolescence, resulting in a voice that remained soprano or mezzo-soprano even in adulthood. Castrati were highly valued in 17th and 18th-century European opera for their unique vocal qualities, combining the power of an adult male with the vocal range of a child. The practice is now abandoned due to ethical concerns, but their recordings and historical influence remain significant in classical music.