Voice Classifications OPERA Flashcards

Voice Classifications in Opera

• Lyric Coloratura:

  • Agile voice with high upper extension
  • Capable of executing fast coloratura passages

• Dramatic Coloratura:

  • Features a large voice
  • Can produce sound powerful enough to sing over an orchestra

• Soubrette:

  • Light voice with bright, sweet timbre
  • Typically has a middle-range tessitura, suitable for playful or flirtatious roles

• Tessitura:

  • Refers to the range within which a singer feels most comfortable singing

• Lyric Soprano:

  • Warm voice characterized by bright and full timbre
  • Able to project over an orchestra
  • Higher tessitura than a soubrette, often portrays sympathetic characters
  • Divided into light lyric soprano and full lyric soprano

• Light Lyric Soprano:

  • Typically possesses a "full package" of musicianship, appearance, and stage presence

• Full Lyric Soprano:

  • Exhibits a more mature sound
  • Generally does not take on as light of roles compared to lighter sopranos

• Spinto Soprano:

  • Described as "pushed lyric"
  • Combines brightness and agility of lyric with the ability to reach dramatic climaxes

• Dramatic Soprano:

  • Features a powerful, rich voice capable of singing over a full orchestra
  • Has a lower tessitura and darker timbre, often representing heroic or tragic female characters

• Wagnerian Soprano:

  • Dramatic voice capable of dominating over a large orchestra
  • Possesses power and consistency across vocal registers

• Mezzo Soprano:

  • Strong presence in baroque era music
  • Has wider range requirements compared to choral voices, but can overlap with sopranos

• Contralto/Alto:

  • Represents the lowest female operatic voice
  • Characterized by a deep and dark timbre, extremely rare

• Countertenor/Soprano/Haute-Contre:

  • Voice type higher than tenor, often used in early music and opera

• Leggiero Tenor:

  • Male lyric coloratura
  • Known for a light and agile voice suitable for rapid passages

Explore various voice classifications in opera through this engaging flashcard quiz. Each card presents a specific term and its definition, helping you understand the nuances of vocal types such as lyric coloratura and soubrette. Perfect for music students and opera enthusiasts.