Musico

The Italian term ''musico'' (: ''musici'') has a number of meanings:

* Originally, the term referred to any trained, as opposed to amateur, musician. * In the 18th century, the polite term was used for the voice-type known today as castrato, which was considered a derogatory term at the time. The leading castrato in a company was referred to as a ''primo musico''. A diminutive form (''musichetto'') was also occasionally used. * In the 19th century, after the disappearance of castrati from opera, the term referred to a female singer, usually a contralto, who performed male leads in travesti. Provided by Wikipedia