Just read an enjoyable novel called Masks and Shadows, by Stephanie Burgis.
One of the main characters is a "castrato". Castrati were males of 18th century Europe who were castrated before puberty to create singers with high, powerful voices. This story is part fantasy, part romance...the castrato and a baroness are the hero and heroine. Takes place in a palace with various court intrigues, secret plots, a paranormal creature. (The romance is not explicit).
The book caused me to look up the castrati phenomenon. Seems that poor parents sometimes had young sons castrated so they could sing their way out of poverty. Some became quite famous and celebrated.
Interesting history, well written story!
Good Novel With a Eunuch/Castrato Singer
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Elizabeth (imported)
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attistoC (imported)
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Re: Good Novel With a Eunuch/Castrato Singer
Elizabeth (imported) wrote: Mon Feb 11, 2019 2:22 pm Just read an enjoyable novel called Masks and Shadows, by Stephanie Burgis.
One of the main characters is a "castrato". Castrati were males of 18th century Europe who were castrated before puberty to create singers with high, powerful voices. This story is part fantasy, part romance...the castrato and a baroness are the hero and heroine. Takes place in a palace with various court intrigues, secret plots, a paranormal creature. (The romance is not explicit).
The book caused me to look up the castrati phenomenon. Seems that poor parents sometimes had young sons castrated so they could sing their way out of poverty. Some became quite famous and celebrated.
Interesting history, well written story!
I search the book on the internet.