Dramatic soprano

A dramatic soprano is an operatic soprano with a powerful, rich, emotive voice that can sing over, or cut through, a full orchestra. Thicker vocal folds in dramatic voices usually (but not always) mean less agility than lighter voices but a sustained, fuller sound. Usually this voice has a lower tessitura than other sopranos, and a darker timbre. They are often used for heroic, often long-suffering, tragic women of opera. Dramatic sopranos have a range from approximately middle C (C4) to "high D" (D6).^[1] Some dramatic sopranos, known as Wagnerian sopranos, have an exceptionally big voice that can assert itself over a large orchestra (of more than 80 or even 100 pieces). These voices are substantial, often denser in tone, extremely powerful and, ideally, evenly balanced throughout the vocal registers. Wagnerian sopranos usually play mythic heroines. Successful Wagnerian sopranos are rare and often Wagnerian roles are performed by Italianate dramatic sopranos.^[2] Dramatic sopranos outside opera can be found singing jazz and gospel music. These sopranos are known as jazz sopranos and gospel sopranos respectively.

Dramatic soprano singers

Dramatic roles^[3]

Wagnerian soprano singers

Wagnerian soprano roles^[4]

Listen and Compare

• To hear an example of a Dramatic soprano (Jessye Norman in title role of Ariadne auf Naxos) click on this link: Watch here

• To hear an example of a Wagnerian soprano (Birgit Nilsson as Isolde in Tristan und Isolde) click on this link: Watch here

References

1. ^ Coffin (1960), cited below
2. ^ Coffin
3. ^ Boldrey (1994),Guide to Operatic Roles and Arias, cited below
4. ^ Boldrey (1994),Guide to Operatic Roles and Arias, cited below

Further reading