Here is something on Farinelli
http://www.instantencore.com/blogs/entry.aspx?FeedEntryId=49784
I dont read Italian so it might be rubbish...but I had read it somewhere.
Interesting article from someone who thinks Jackson was a Castrati.
Conspiracy Theory: Was Michael Jackson a castrato?
In a web tabloid article related to Michael Jackson, a commenter suggested that MJ’s father had him castrated as a child to keep that soprano voice intact. Subsequently, through plastic surgery, MJ tried to make himself look like the famous 18th century Italian castrato singer, Carlo Broschi - known to us all as Farinelli.
I know MJ’s father was abusive, but I thought the castration bit was a little far-fetched, even after I saw the pics of Farinelli. Sure, there’s a striking resemblance, but that doesn’t really prove anyting...
until I saw this bust of Farinelli.
The resemblance is quite startling. Look at the nose and the eyes.
In early Italy (until 1870), young boys were castrated in order to maintain their youthful voices, and they were known as castrato singers. Very few of them went on to become stars, and Farinelli was the biggest of those who did. They lived very much like today’s pop stars, enjoying a lot of fame and adulation - and more often than not, letting it go to their heads. Very much like the King of Pop himself.
In 2006, Farinelli’s body was exhumed by scientists to study the physical development unique to castrato singers. There is no further news regarding the studies....
links at site to pictures.
I saw the Farinelli movie. It captured my attention...freaky! In the movie, his brother castrated him so that he could maintain his fame.