Simple-ish: Understanding the Opera Voice Types
We love opera, but it is complex. From the languages to the etiquette and let’s not even talk about the technique. For all its complexities, opera embraces the uniqueness of the voice. The most special part of opera is its celebration of varying vocal types. So lucky for you, we can make one aspect of opera simple-ish.
Most Common Voice Types
In opera, singers are categorized by their voice’s type and range. This voice type is determined by the color, weight, agility, and timbre (distinct quality) of the person’s voice. The four most common types of voices are:
Soprano
Mezzo-Soprano
Tenor
Bass
Once the basic category is determined, singers are further categorized by range. This is where things get more complex. We’re just going to keep it cute and explore the Elite Eight: Coloratura Soprano, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto, Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass.
These categories are just an introduction to operatic voice types and singers break these limits every day.
The Elite Eight
Coloratura Soprano
With the highest human vocal register, a coloratura soprano sings difficult passages with agility. The two subcategories of coloratura soprano are dramatic and lyric. (Vocal Range: C4 to F6)
Examples: Pretty Yende, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Reri Grist, and Gwendolyn Bradley
Soprano
Sopranos sing with a very high vocal range and are further categorized by the weight of their voice. These subcategories include soubrette, lyric, spinto, dramatic, and coloratura. (Vocal Range: C4 to C6)
Examples: Leontyne Price, Brandie Sutton, Martina Arroyo, Leah Hawkins, Julia Bullock, Janai Brugger, Golda Schultz, Angel Joy Blue, Jeanine De Bique, Nicole Heaston Lane, Roberta Alexander, Camellia Johnson, Jessye Norman, Shirley Verrett, Grace Bumbry, Barbara Hendricks, Leona Mitchell, Adele Addison, and VuVu Mpofu.
Mezzo-Soprano
Being a Mezzo is not just about the ability to sing lower than a soprano, but the color that accompanies that lower register. Mezzo subcategories can also be lyric, dramatic, and coloratura. Crazy right? (Vocal Range: C4 to A5)
Examples: Denyce Graves-Montgomery, Florence Quivar, J’nai Bridges, Shirley Verrett, Isola Jones, Betty Allen, Taylor Raven, Grace Bumbry, Raehann Bryce Davis, and Maria Ewing
Contralto
Usually categorized as the lowest female voice type, contraltos have the darkest and richest timbre. You definitely know a contralto when you hear one. (Vocal Range: F3 to F5)
Examples: Marian Anderson, Carol Brice, and Funmike Lagoke
Countertenor
The countertenor voice sits much higher than the tenor voice. These voices are different from the male soprano or alto voice because of the tone quality and poignant sound. (Vocal Range: G3 to E5)
Examples: John Holiday, Patrick Dailey, Derek Lee Ragin, Darius Elmore, Darryl Taylor, Matthew Truss, and Reginald Mobley
Tenor
A tenor is a high male voice that can be leggero tenor, lyric tenor, spinto tenor, dramatic tenor, heldentenor, and tenor buffo or spieltenor. (Vocal Range: A♭2 to F5)
Examples: Lawrence Brownlee, George Shirley, Russell Thomas, and Sunnybody Dladla
Baritone
Baritone voices lie between tenor and bass.Baritone cans be baryton-Martin baritone (light baritone), lyric baritone, Kavalier Baritone, Verdi baritone, dramatic baritone, baryton-noble baritone, and the bass-baritone. (Vocal Range: G2 to G4)
Examples: Sidney Outlaw, Christian Simmons, Simon Estes, Eric Owens, and Terry Cook
Bass
Bass are categorized by their dark and low tone. The bass subcategories are much more complex than other voice types but the most common are bass-baritone, lyric bass, basso buffo, and basso profondo. (Vocal Range: E2 to E4)
Example: Williard Wentworth, Solomon Howard, Edwin Davis, Andrew Frierson, and Morris Robinson
