What About the Castrato?

If you’ve been reading about the Irish Baroque Orchestra’s upcoming performance of The Trials of Tenducci, you may have stumbled across one surprising word: castrato.

Who were castrati? Why were they famous? What did they sound like? And why is a 250-year-old opera star still worth talking about today?

The story of Giusto Tenducci, the celebrated Italian singer at the center of this performance, is one of music history’s most extraordinary chapters. It’s a tale of celebrity, scandal, and a voice unlike anything audiences had ever heard.

What Was a Castrato?

Castrati were male singers who underwent a procedure before puberty that prevented their voices from changing. As adults, they retained a high vocal range while developing the lung power and physical presence of grown men.

The result was something extraordinary:

• the range of a soprano or alto.
• immense breath control.
• unusual vocal strength and agility.
• a sound listeners described as both powerful and ethereal.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, castrati became Europe’s biggest musical celebrities. They drew enormous crowds, commanded huge fees, and inspired the kind of frenzy we might associate today with pop stars.

By the late 18th century, changing musical tastes and growing ethical concerns led to the decline of the practice.

Meet Guisto Tenducci: Dublin's Operatic Sensation

Giusto Tenducci was one of the most famous castrati of his time. When he arrived in Dublin in 1765, audiences were captivated, and his life was as dramatic as the music he performed. He performed in major European opera houses, collaborated with leading composers (he even briefly taught Mozart to sing!), and was adored by the public. His personal life also drew intense public attention, particularly surrounding his relationship with a teenage Irish student. Their elopement and marriage ignited public scandal and led to his eventual imprisonment in Cork.

Tenducci’s fame, relationships, and legal battles made him a larger-than-life figure in Dublin’s cultural scene and helped transform the city into a hub for Italian opera and international musical exchange.

The Trials of Tenducci explores both the brilliance of his artistry and the complicated world surrounding it.

What Does That Voice Sound Like Today?

Since castrati no longer exist, how do modern audiences hear this repertoire?

Today, countertenors perform many of the roles written for castrati. Using specialized vocal techniques, countertenors sing in a high range similar to what historical audiences might have heard.

The Irish Baroque Orchestra’s performance features rising British countertenor Hugh Cutting, known for the richness and focus of his tone and effortless control across his upper range. His singing offers a rare glimpse into the sound world that once fascinated European audiences.

Experience the Story Live

On Tuesday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m., the Irish Baroque Orchestra invites audiences to step into 18th-century Dublin through music by Mozart, Gluck, J.C. Bach, and others who shaped this remarkable era.

It’s a St. Patrick’s Day celebration unlike any other: part history lesson, part theatrical storytelling, and part time travel through sound. 

Top image: Irish Baroque Orchestra. Photo by Pawel Bebenca.