castrato

[ ka-strah-toh, kuh-; Italian kah-strah-taw ]

noun

, plural cas·tra·ti [ka-, strah, -tee, k, uh, -, kah-, strah, -tee].

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

castrato

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of castrato¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of castrato¹

C18: from Italian, from Latin castrātus castrated

Example Sentences

In his portrait of a castrato, Andrea Sacchi let a well-hung Apollo make up for the singer's loss.

From The Daily Beast

The Daily Pic: In his portrait of a castrato, Andrea Sacchi let a well-hung Apollo make up for the singer's loss.

From The Daily Beast

He laughed, a high-pitched chirp that sounded like a castrato.

From The Daily Beast

This is followed by a air for castrato, in which the violinist has to imitate the tone and that style of singing.

From Project Gutenberg

I had recently heard the entrancing castrato singing at St. Peter's, and, on conquering my aversion, could not but admire it.

From Project Gutenberg

I thought he was a 'castrato' who, as is the custom in Rome, performed all the parts of a prima donna.

From Project Gutenberg

My mother advised me to continue to give myself out as a castrato, in the hope of being able to take me to Rome.

From Project Gutenberg

My new visitor proved to be the first castrato of the theatre, who brought an invitation to dinner from Narici.

From Project Gutenberg