What is "musico"

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

• Originally, the term referred to any trained, as opposed to amateur, musician.
• In the 18th century, the term (generally regarded as derogatory) was used for the voice-type known today as castrato.
• In the 19th century, after the disappearance of castrati from opera, the term referred to a female singer, usually a mezzo-soprano, but sometimes a contralto, in a breeches role, often referred to as a primo musico. A diminutive form (musichetto) was also occasionally used.