Martha Feldman, University of Chicago Professor in the Humanities and Chair of the Department of Music, examines the role of castrati-boys in patriarchal European society at the University's 32nd annual Humanities Day [1]. Castrati were "literally and figuratively cut out" of parts of society because they could no longer perpetuate their family lines.
Feldman's keynote address is titled "Castrato De Luxe: Blood, Gifts, and Goods in the Making of Early Modern Singing Stars." The address features video footage of castrati-specific singing techniques.
Every October the Division of the Humanities opens their classrooms to the public and features a day-long series of lectures, discussions, exhibits, tours and performances. Learn more at the Humanities Day website [1].
Links:
[1] http://humanitiesday.uchicago.edu/
[2] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/music/history
[3] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/people/martha-feldman
[4] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/history/renaissance-and-baroque-culture
[5] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/source/uchicago-creative
[6] http://news.uchicago.edu/source/academic-programs/division-humanities
[7] http://news.uchicago.edu/source/division-humanities
[8] http://news.uchicago.edu/taxonomy/term/65
[9] http://news.uchicago.edu/taxonomy/term/58
[10] http://news.uchicago.edu/taxonomy/term/147
[11] http://news.uchicago.edu/taxonomy/term/60
[12] http://news.uchicago.edu/taxonomy/term/61
[13] http://news.uchicago.edu/taxonomy/term/18055
[14] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/category/culture-and-society
[15] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/category/gender-and-sexuality-studies
[16] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/category/history
[17] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/category/medieval-and-renaissance-studies
[18] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/category/music
[19] http://news.uchicago.edu/tag/genre/lectures