WHAT'S OPERA DOC?: IS BUGS BUNNY A CASTRATO?
SOURCE: S. L. Deefholts, The Peak (Volume 95, Issue 5 3 February 1997 - Copyright © 1997 Simon Fraser University)
It may sound like a crazy proposition. But think about it, folks.
Anyone who's seen even a handful of the cartoons featuring Bugs and his nemesis Elmer Fudd may have noticed the frequency with which that "wascally wabbit" dresses in drag to stymie his persistent pursuer. For a while, I just assumed that it was part of the role-playing dynamic in their relationship. After all, every time Bugs donned a wig and a dress, Elmer's interest shifted from blood sports to courtship (never mind that some people seem to think of them as the same thing).
So, what made me start thinking that there may be more to it than sexual titillation? I'll tell you: I saw What's Opera, Doc?. Elmer, in his most heroic role yet, singing: "Catch the wabbit, catch the wab-bit..." to the tune of "The Ride of the Valkyries," is smitten by the sight of Bugs, resplendent in his gazebo, wearing long blond braids and georgeously long eyelashes. I put it to you: have you ever seen a more convincing Brunnehilde?
It was at that time that the idea first took hold. It took me a while to start considering the implications. After all, if my hypothesis could be proven, the consequences could be dramatic indeed.
Think about it: the practice of castrating boys before they reached puberty in order to preserve the purity of their soprano voices really took off in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in Italy. The rest of Europe didn't really take to the idea of castrating youngsters. As far as I know, the practice was never really undertaken at all in North America. Wouldn't it be incredible if Bugs were the only bona fide castrato cartoon rabbit the world has ever seen?
And as far as those sixteenth century Italian castrati went, don't get me wrong - there was a lot in it for those who did agree to make the sacrifice in the name of art. They were generally in high demand. While their fellow soloists and choirboys were often destitute after their voices changed, the castrati lived in relative luxury, teaching, performing and continuing their studies. They played both male and female roles, particularly in those parts of Italy which did not allow women to perform onstage. Parts were written just for them.
They also had their share of both male and female "groupies," so that, depending on their sexual orientation, they could continue on the pursuit of their amorous adventures as well, if they so wished. Contrary to popular belief, it is held that the castrati were not much impeded by their operations and were generally fairly promiscuous fellows. And, as an added bonus, paternity suits just never stuck.
But, I won't go too much further along that line of thought. If you're still curious, you could always go and rent Farinelli from your neighborhood video store, for a fictionalized portrait of one of the more popular castrati. In order to simulate Farinelli's range, the voices of a counter-tenor and a soprano are convincingly blended, with fascinating results.
Nowadays, of course, women sing the female parts formerly performed by the castrati (notwithstanding Bugs' occasional appearances, of course). But, what about the male roles which were written for those sopranos who wore the seventeeth century equivalent of a jock strap?
Sometimes, a counter tenor will be able to sing the part. Counter tenors have the highest vocal range among the male opera singers. They are also extremely rare and in very high demand. So, in the absence of counter tenors, sometimes the male role is transposed down into the tenor range. Tenors are relatively commonplace (and sometimes even come in threes, more's the pity).
But, there are still some purists, who want to hear some of the older scores performed the way they might have been when they were first written. Women get to indulge in a little drag in those instances. About time, I say - after all those centuries of not being allowed to perform onstage, at last, women are being allowed to usurp male roles, in the interests of authenticity!...
So...back to what's really under discussion here: is Bugs Bunny a castrato? What do you think?
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