Georgian Fangirls: Women, Castrati, and Gender in Late 18th Century London | Jeffrey Nigro

Italian opera in the 18th century, whether in Italy or London, was dominated by the castrati, male-identified singers who had been castrated before puberty to preserve their treble voices. With their haunting timbres and spectacular vocal techniques, the castrati were the superstars of their time. Among their most devoted admirers were women; it was well known, or salaciously assumed, that women were attracted to castrati because they were "safe" lovers, still capable of sexual activity but without the consequences of unwanted pregnancies. But the writings and experiences of these female fans reveal a more sophisticated appreciation of the artistry of their favorite singers, a blend of connoisseurship and enthusiasm that allowed for intellectual and emotional outlets that were not always available to women at the time.

By the later 18th century the castrato phenomenon was beginning to wain, due to a number of factors: the rise of Enlightenment rationality that…