Questions and Answers
What term describes an agile, high upper extension capable of fast coloratura?
Which voice type has a large voice and can sing with full voice over an orchestra?
What is a characteristic of a soubrette voice?
What is tessitura?
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Which type of soprano has a warm voice that can be heard over an orchestra?
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A light lyric soprano often has a full package of musicianship, appearance, and stagecraft.
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What distinguishes a full lyric soprano?
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What does a spinto soprano offer in performance?
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Which voice type is characterized by a powerful, rich voice and can sing over a full orchestra?
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What is unique about a Wagnerian soprano?
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What voice type was well represented in the Baroque era?
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Contralto is the lowest female operatic voice and is very common.
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What is the characteristic of a countertenor voice?
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What type of tenor is characterized as a male lyric coloratura?
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Study Notes
Voice Classifications in Opera
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Lyric Coloratura:
- Agile voice with high upper extension
- Capable of executing fast coloratura passages
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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
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Tessitura:
- Refers to the range within which a singer feels most comfortable singing
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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
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Light Lyric Soprano:
- Typically possesses a "full package" of musicianship, appearance, and stage presence
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Full Lyric Soprano:
- Exhibits a more mature sound
- Generally does not take on as light of roles compared to lighter sopranos
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Spinto Soprano:
- Described as "pushed lyric"
- Combines brightness and agility of lyric with the ability to reach dramatic climaxes
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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
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Wagnerian Soprano:
- Dramatic voice capable of dominating over a large orchestra
- Possesses power and consistency across vocal registers
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Mezzo Soprano:
- Strong presence in baroque era music
- Has wider range requirements compared to choral voices, but can overlap with sopranos
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Contralto/Alto:
- Represents the lowest female operatic voice
- Characterized by a deep and dark timbre, extremely rare
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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
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Description
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.