Castration was only the first ordeal that boys with musical potential endured. The brutal operation did not guarantee that the boy would develop a pleasing musical voice, and must have brought only misery to those whose singing ability was insufficient to allow them to study at prestigious music conservatoires such as the four major schools at Naples. For the luckier boys, conditions were often harsh and far removed from the glamorous career they hoped for. The life of a student castrato was almost monastic, arising early in the morning, and attending to religious and strict secular learning with equal fervour throughout the entire day. Teachers at the Neapolitan schools included Francesco Durante, Francesco Provenzale, Porpora, Leo and Scarlatti, several of whom had been educated in the same system. Music lessons with the most famous masters were only given a few times each week, and lasted between two and three hours. Conditions were cramped and noisy, and young castrati spent between six and ten years working principally on breathing techniques. Porpora is alleged to have instructed his students to sing an entire page of exercises every day for six years. This intense yet thorough training brought about incredible technique and vocal longevity.

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