Coloratura soprano
soprano voice with high range and the ability to execute with elaborate ornamentation and embellishment
A coloratura soprano (Italian: soprano di coloratura) is a type of operatic soprano voice that specializes in music that is distinguished by agile runs, leaps and trills.
The term coloratura refers to the elaborate ornamentation of a melody, which is a typical component of the music written for this voice. Within the coloratura category, there are roles written specifically for lighter voices known as lyric coloraturas and others for larger voices known as dramatic coloraturas. Categories within a certain vocal range are determined by the size, weight and color of the voice. Coloratura is particularly found in vocal music and especially in operatic singing of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, coloratura sopranos are sometimes classified more specific as either light lyric coloratura sopranos, full lyric coloratura sopranos, light dramatic coloratura sopranos or full dramatic coloratura sopranos
Lyric coloratura soprano
A very agile light voice with a high upper extension, capable of fast vocal coloratura. Lyric coloraturas have a range of approximately middle C (C4) to "high F" (F6). Such a soprano is sometimes referred to as a soprano leggero if her vocal timbre has a slightly warmer quality. The soprano leggero also typically does not go as high as other coloraturas, peaking at a "high E" (E6). Bel canto roles were typically written for this voice, and a wide variety of other composers have also written coloratura parts.
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