NY Times: "Who can resist a man who sings like a woman?"

[coyle123 (imported)]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/magaz ... ano-t.html

"Jaroussky made his professional debut singing Scarlatti at a French summer festival in 1999, when he was 21. He was fortunate in his timing. In the last few decades, much of the Baroque repertory — the operas and sacred music of composers like Monteverdi, Purcell and Gluck, as well as that of lesser-known masters — has enjoyed a widespread revival. And with it, that most startling of voices, the countertenor — a grown man who sings like a turbo-charged choirboy, performing the roles of heroes or saints that were originally written for a castrato and that are often sung by a female mezzo-soprano."

[Hash (imported)]

From the article: "Much of the sacred music and opera roles sung today by Jaroussky or by mezzo-sopranos like Cecilia Bartoli were originally composed for Farinelli and his peers — male singers who were castrated before they reached puberty in order to preserve their high, pure voices."

O.K. so Jaroussky learned to sing using a falsetto voice that mimic's the castrato of old? Is that what the article is saying? If it is, then he deserves a lot of credit, it is not an easy feat, takes lots of training, but I still think there's something about Jaroussky that makes me suspicious. Maybe it's just me, maybe I've lived too long and heard to many people say things one day and then turn around and state another thing a few days, weeks, months, years later, that it was all a lie.

Jaroussky seemed to have been so passionate about singing that I wonder if in order to maintain a high singing voice he might have gotten castrated secretly? Of course the document indicates that he had already passed through puberty by the time he started singing, so it's hard to prove. On the other hand, I wonder if "he" might have been born with less functional testicles? If there wasn't/isn't a lot of testosterone flowing through his body, then maybe that's helped him develop a higher feminine voice. So, yeah, I'm suspicious, someday the truth might come out or maybe what he's saying is all true. Time will tell.

[coyle123 (imported)]

He has no visible adam's apple in the close-up photo on the article page.

Listen to the audio clips linked there -- it's gorgeous, and in no way sounds falsetto.

[graylayer02 (imported)]

He is a bit unusual-looking. Not in a pretty way but in an interesting way. He doesn't sound anything like other countertenors I've heard.

[twaddler (imported)]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zQX2XqAE8c

^--- it just seems so odd to see that voice coming from him. beautiful voice though! wow..!

[EnchantedHunter (imported)]

Philippe is the queen!

He's so hot, and he has a nice set of tits as well:D

He does has the appearance like a castrato, but I think it's not likely that he's been castrated, not that I would not like to see it. Rather, I think it could be the XXY syndrome, whose symptoms include, according to wikipedia, "a lanky, youthful build and facial appearance, or a rounded body type with some degree of gynecomastia (increased breast tissue)", which match his appearance pretty well.

[Hash (imported)]

It's just wild listening to him, he sounds like an exceptional woman singer but looks like a man, well mostly. It's just so strangely odd to me, ok, ok, don't get on me about it, it just doesn't seem normal, which is why I agree with the XXY syndrome diagnosis. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-xxy-chromosomes.htm

"If XXY males are not diagnosed in childhood, they may receive diagnosis during puberty. Testicles are usually smaller and do not increase in size, as they do with most boys during adolescence. Many males with this extra chromosome are infertile, though not all of them are. Though these children may actually be taller than most, they may lack the normal signs of developing puberty, and can have ro"Iunder bodies, more breast tissue, and scant to no development of hair on the body.

XXY males often benefit from testosterone treatment during puberty to help produce adolescent development of adult male features. Lack of this treatment does not mean that sexual behavior in life is impaired. Many XXY kids have normal sexual lives in later life, though some men may note slightly less interest in sex. The XXY chromosome pattern does not predispose men to be “feminine” or to "develop" homosexuality. Studies on this suggest homosexuality is just as common in men who have the more common XY chromosome arrangement.

Diagnosis, especially for those who exhibit key symptoms, can be helpful. Kids who are not aware that there are physical reasons for slight differences between themselves and others may feel they are “weird” or “different” than other developing boys. Education, treatment with testosterone as needed, and support from parents can be a great help."

[EnchantedHunter (imported)]

His singing does not make me suspect, but his appearance: unprominent adam's apple, long arms and legs, feminine subcutaneous fat distribution, youthful looks.

Actually I don't think it's a bad thing. On contrary, I love him being this wonderful combination of man and woman. He rules all my sexual fantasy.:hearthrob

[JesusA (imported)]

I asked a medical school colleague whether or not he thought that Phillipe Jaroussky might have Klinefelters. His response was that he had already considered that and had done quite a bit of Internet research on the topic. (He does have a collection of Jaroussky CDs.)

He speculates that Jaroussky could be either a high-functioning Klinefelter or have congenital hypogonadism. There is no readily available information on either topic, though there is quite a bit of Internet speculation that he is gay. This might be associated with Klinefelter, as there seems to be a connection between the two.

The best guess, though, would be that Jaroussky is congenitally hypogonadal.

Here’s a link to part 1 of an 11-part concert performance by Jaroussky. The concert is titled “Philippe Jaroussky: Farnelli, Carestini castrats et rivaux.” The other 10 parts are linked from this first segment, should you wish to see and hear more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

GJsjtlsyLvg

Jaroussky also performed in a 2006 French TV documentary on the castrati, “Castrats, la voix des anges: L’histoire de ces chanteurs fascinants.” Here’s a link to the site where it can be watched on-line (for a small fee).

http://www.vodeo.tv/documentaire/castra ... -des-anges

The documentary does not seem to be available as a DVD, and my Internet connection is far too slow to watch it on line. I would appreciate a review should anyone here watch it. Maybe one of our French members can write about it (in either English or French).

.

[EnchantedHunter (imported)]

My guess confirmed by a medical professional? Ah ha!

Is Klinefelters a special kind of congenital hypogonadism?

He is gay. He talks about his boyfriend in this interview. Sorry it's in German.

http://www.siegessaeule.de/kultur/buehn ... ssten.html

I also found in this website some information about Klinefelters.

http://www.gendercentre.org.au/29article14.htm

It says that "Most Klinefelter's Syndrome people have had sex with someone of their same gender during puberty. Studies I have seen shown that 80% of all boys experience something along this line, but only 10% of the population appears to be "gay". There does not appear to be any defined indication if any of the 20% that did not have a gay experience ended up gay". But this contradicts what I read on wikipedia. I don't know which is correct.

According to the article, the common characteristics also includes being shy and passive. Jaroussky himself says he has a pudique(bashful) and calme nature. It also says those are more likely to have language problems, but in YouTube videos you can hear him speaking French, Spanish, German and English in interviews.