De Monstruos y Prodigios: La Historia de los Castrati

Based, in part, on Patrick Barbier’s book The World of the Castrati, De Monstruos y Prodigios: La Historia de los Castrati details how male sopranos created a sensation in the Baroque world. Without ignoring the serious implications of social ostracism, the production explores the internal contradictions, romances and whims of these unusual figures. Using extreme physical comedy coupled with live vocal, violin and harpsichord music, the play reveals the musical brilliance, gross decadence, and harsh violence surrounding three centuries of this unusual practice.