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Pruned for the sake of music...

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mutant

(A)

In Reply to: Re: Close encounters of the fourth kind: Male-Castratto choir... posted by SR on November 26, 2002 at 19:32:44:

...yet, I too am glad the barbaric practice of male castration has ended. I am no proponent of the art of castration, and I do think the demand for these things stemmed from an excessively narcissistic devotion to music on the part of some. But I do have an historical interest. Thanks for the info, SR.

Follow Ups:

Everything you always wanted to know... - SR 22:34:10 11/26/02 (3)
Click here for More Info
- OK, OK. I think I've had my fill of castration for one night... - mutant 23:59:22 11/26/02 (2)
  ...although I do appreciate the links (whew!). Obviously, the record that I had listened to must not have been true castrati (probably a choir of boys)? According to the history, only one "tweaked" male made it to the recording studio at the turn of the century, thank God. Anyway, it is a source of speculation to me as to whether the acceptance of the idea of the castration was due in fact more to the liberty or the insolence of those days when such great music was produced?
  - Re: OK, OK. I think I've had my fill of castration for one night... - NickM 05:42:08 11/27/02 (1)
    But think: if you were a peasant boy in the 18th century whose sole asset was your voice, and if you had a choice between a lifetime of secure employment with the possibility of fame and fortune (but no balls) and one of grinding poverty leading to an early death from exhaustion (but keeping your body intact)... wouldn't you be tempted?
    Having been a Head Chorister, I know that the prospect of keeping my voice and the celebrity that came with it might (in another era) have made me seriously consider the op.
    - Yes, but in this case where both A+B output wires are going to the same point... - mutant 07:47:12 11/27/02 (0)
      ...one can't help but flinch a little. But, it was probably like you say - with 2 desperate parents and 10 hungry siblings staring you down night after night, the feeling of guilt and responsibility must have made ones balls shrivel up anyway. Why not actualize ones inner-feelings?

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