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16th Century. History of Music.

The Oratory Period of Music.
Best Classical Music from the 16th Century.

During the 16th century there begin to appear references, in the records of the choir of the Sistine chapel, to castrati. They are male singers who have been castrated, causing their voices to remain as high as those of boys but with the added physical power of male lungs and larynx. In church music and opera, up to the end of the 18th century, the castrato voice is widely considered the most thrilling sound in music, bringing fortunes to the singers themselves - most of them poor boys with good voices, whose families take money to submit them to the operation.

 

 

 

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