Fach

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The German Fach (pl. Fächer, literally "compartment") (pronounced [ˈfax], [ˈfɛçəɐ]) system is a method of classifying singers, primarily opera singers, by the range, weight, and color of their voices. It is primarily used in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries and in repertory opera houses.

The Fach system is a convenience for singers and opera houses. A singer who is identified as being of a certain Fach will usually be asked to sing only roles that belong to that Fach. This prevents a singer from being asked to sing roles which he or she is incapable of performing. Opera houses keep lists of available singers by Fach so that when they are casting roles for an upcoming production, they do not inadvertently contact performers who would be inappropriate for the part.

Below is a list of Fächer, their ranges as written on sheet music, and their common roles. When two names for the Fach are given, the first is in more common use today. Where possible, an English equivalent of each Fach is listed, however not all Fächer have ready English equivalents. Note that some roles can be sung by more than one Fach and that many singers do not easily fit into a fach: for instance some sopranos may sing both Koloratursopran and Dramatischer Koloratursopran roles. In addition, roles traditionally more difficult to cast may be given to a voice other than the traditional fach. For instance, the Queen of the Night is more traditionally a dramatic coloratura role, but it is difficult to find enough dramatic coloraturas to sing it (particularly given the extreme range). Therefore, the role is often sung by Lyric Coloraturas.

Contents

[edit] Soprano Fächer

[edit] Lyrischer Koloratursopran / Koloratursoubrette

[edit] Dramatischer Koloratursopran

[edit] Deutsche Soubrette / Charaktersopran

[edit] Lyrischer Sopran

[edit] Jugendlich Dramatischer Sopran

[edit] Dramatischer Sopran

[edit] Hochdramatischer Sopran

  • English equivalent: Wagnerian soprano
  • Range: From about the F below middle C to the C two octaves above middle C
  • Description: A voice equal to the demands of operas of Wagner's maturity. Basically, a full dramatic soprano voice taken to the next dimension. The voice is substantial, very powerful, and even throughout the registers. It's immense, stentorian and even larger than that of the voice possessed by the "normal" dramatic soprano. Although the two voices are comparable and are sometimes hard to distinguish between, this voice has even greater stamina, endurance and volume than the former. Successful hochdramatischer are rare, only one or two appear in a generation.


[edit] Mezzo-soprano and Contralto Fächer

[edit] Koloratur-Mezzosopran

[edit] Lyrischer Mezzosopran / Spielalt

[edit] Dramatischer Mezzosopran

[edit] Dramatischer Alt

[edit] Tiefer Alt

[edit] Tenor Fächer

[edit] Spieltenor / Tenor Buffo

[edit] Charaktertenor

[edit] Lyrischer Tenor

[edit] Jugendlicher Heldentenor

[edit] Heldentenor

[edit] Baritone Fächer

[edit] Lyrischer Bariton / Spielbariton

[edit] Kavalierbariton

[edit] Charakterbariton

[edit] Heldenbariton

[edit] Lyric Bassbariton/Low Lyric Baritone

  • English equivalent: Lyric Bass-baritone.

[edit] Dramatic Bassbariton/Low DramaticBaritone

  • English equivalent: Lyric Bass-baritone.

[edit] Bass Fächer

[edit] Basso Cantante/Lyric Bassbariton/High Lyric Bass

[edit] Hoherbass/Dramatic Bassbariton/High Dramatic Bass

[edit] Jugendlicher Bass

[edit] Spielbass/Bassbuffo/Lyric Buffo

[edit] Schwerer Spielbass/Dramatic Buffo

[edit] Lyric Seriöser Bass

[edit] Dramatic Seriöser Bass


[edit] References

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Opera terms