Talk:Soprano

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Coloratura as vocal property?!

The article refers to a certain type of voice as "having almost no coloratura" or something like that. Now as I understand, coloratura as originally defined is actually a compositional technique, involving a rapid, florid vocal line; coloratura passages can be (and have been) sung by singers of all vocal ranges and timbres, even basses. By extension, the word has come to refer to a certain class of soprano singers for whom the singing of such music is easiest, but even among these singers there is as much variety of vocal timbre as among any others. I submit that using this term to denote a property of a voice is vague to the point of meaninglessness, and I would like to see the passage rephrased and clarified.74.182.241.159 (talk) 01:35, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

The term "coloratura facility" within vocal music refers to the voice's ability to sing dextrous (a.k.a coloratura) vocal passages. This is common practice within the opera world. Heavier voices tend to not be able to sing coloratura passages well and the vocal literature reflects that. Of course a soubrette is a lighter voice. In this case, Stark (the author) is pointing out that soubrette roles are not written with extensive coloratura passages, which is true.Nrswanson (talk) 01:44, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Including a list of musical roles

I invite everyone to join this discussion on the voice type talk page. Past consensus has been to not include a list of such roles but perhaps this topic should be re-adressed. This topic involves all voice types as there has been a strong attempt to try and make each voice type page similar in content and format.Nrswanson (talk) 22:33, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

This page needs to have a musical list jsut liek the mezzo-soprano and contralto pages do. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.103.94.196 (talk) 01:15, 3 January 2009 (UTC)

Sfogato Soprano?

I noticed that this section was added but I removed it as there were no references given and I had never heard the term before described in that way. It is my understanding that the Sfogato Soprano is a type of coloratura with even higher notes than what is usual for a coloratura. The music dictionary just says "A very high soprano". It says nothing about lower extension. Also, if Callas was a Sfogato Soprano than so was Sutherland who had an even larger range than Callas.Nrswanson (talk) 00:54, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Article needs a spinto soprano link

...because the youtube link (Leontyne Price in the title role of Tosca) is dead. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 14:31, 15 June 2008 (UTC)

No it isn't. I just pulled it up. The link works just fine.Nrswanson (talk) 18:37, 15 June 2008 (UTC)

Yes now the link works. I am delighted. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 18:43, 18 June 2008 (UTC)

Sporano men

Is soprano regarded only as a female voice?
How about Leo Sayer and the Bee-Gees? Thanks 77.126.62.150 (talk) 10:47, 26 July 2008 (UTC)

The term "male soprano" is a somewhat controvercial term with some vocal pedagogists rejecting it outright and others embracing it. The issue is actually addressed on the countertenor article. The term countertenor is the name most frequently used in the opera world for classifying men who can sing in the soprano vocal range.Nrswanson (talk) 22:55, 26 July 2008 (UTC)

How about Davina Pons ? Yes (s)he's funny but it's a serious question. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 23:27, 3 January 2009 (UTC)

Hey it would be nice if you give a soundbite for this

a sample o sound