A Boy’s Voice Trapped in a Man’s Body
Alessandro Moreschi, born January 11, 1858, in Monte Compatri, Italy, is known as the last ever castrato singer. As a young boy, Moreschi loved to sing and would often practice in the chapel of the Madonna del Castagno. Castrated when he was young, Moreschi was known for his mezzo-soprano vocals. Alessandro’s voice is known to be the only ever recorded castrato, making the recordings haunting to hear.
What is a Castrato?
A castrato was a male singer who was castrated before puberty. Prepubertal castration resulted in a distinct vocal physiology with adult lung capacity and a higher register, which caused a sound unattainable by many women and men. Many speculate that castrations were performed to prevent or deter women from singing in churches; there’s no concrete evidence to back these claims.
Listen to the Voice of the Last Castrato
It’s sad and a bit scary to consider you’re listening to this man’s voice from a century ago. Listen to the Last Castrato on TikTok.
Do Castratos Still Exist?
Fortunately, castration to preserve male voices is no longer a practice. The Vatican officially banned castrati in 1903, deeming it a brutal and inhumane practice, and Moreschi, the last castrato, died on April 21, 1922. Although many people will look back on castration and see it as a sad and horrific act, Moreschi did not let it hold him back. Alessandro sang lead in his church choir, served as a Director of Soloists, had rave reviews in his prime, married and adopted a son, and, by most accounts, seemed very happy. The times were different back then.
