Neville Watchurst's 'The Angel Of Rome'
Directed by Sue Wilson
Broadcast December 4, 1992
Coded from tape at 128/44.1
The heart of the Catholic Church in the Vatican City used to be an all male preserve. Rich enough to afford custom music from the great composers, the music often required sopranos; an unnatural pitch for adult male voices. Boys were too troublesome, & their voices broke.
The Sistine Chapel Choir resolved this matter by employing males who had been castrated before their voices broke.
As far as we know, Alessandro Moreschi, was the last of these. Born in 1858. He died in 1924. This is his story. It is both bitter & joyous.
The play includes recordings Alessandro made in 1902 & 1904.