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The Rise and Fall of Castrati

Author

Listed:
  • Victor Ginsburgh
  • Luc Leruth

Abstract

Castrato singers appeared in the Western World during the 16th century. They were needed by the Church for reasons that we shall discuss, and their skills were such that opera composers also decided to use them. This created a major demand for their services. Castrati reigned supreme at the Opera until the mid-19th century and continued to sing in Italian churches until 1913. The last one died in Rome in 1922. The paper shows that economic incentives played a key role in explaining the rise and fall of this remarkable group of singers.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Ginsburgh & Luc Leruth, 2017. "The Rise and Fall of Castrati," Working Papers ECARES ECARES 2017-15, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    • Handle: RePEc:eca:wpaper:2013/249916
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giovanni Federico & Paolo Malanima, 2004. "Progress, decline, growth: product and productivity in Italian agriculture, 1000–2000," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 57(3), pages 437-464, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    castrated singers; singing in the Church; Opera;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • N83 - Economic History - - Micro-Business History - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • Z11 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economics of the Arts and Literature
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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