O P E R AT I C Vo i c e Ty p e s Have you ever wondered why every person's voice sounds slightly different from each other? The human voice is a fascinating and complex instrument with many factors that go into why each person sounds different. The length and strength of the vocal chords, how thick the vocal chords are, the shape of the nasal passages, mouth, and throat all help to determine whether your voice will be high or low, bright or warm. In opera we've classified the voice into seven main categories of voice types (from highest to lowest): soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, countertenor, tenor, baritone, and bass. Today, we still use these voice classifications. It is important to know that a person can only know their true voice type when they become an adult. The following people have distinguished themselves as past and present leaders of their voice type. Choose one opera singer to research and report back with your friends. Use the QR Codes to learn more about the quality of each voice. S O P R A N O the highest female voice, with a traditional range of A below middle C to the C two octaves above that. The soprano usually plays the heroine of the story and is often the center of the romantic storyline.
Angela Brown soprano
Ying Fang soprano
M E Z Z O - S O P R A N O is slightly lower than soprano, with a range usually G below middle C to the Bb two octaves above. They are often supporting roles of motherly types or villains. They also will often sing the trouser roles— portraying boys or young men.
Stephanie Blythe mezzo-soprano
Denyce Graves mezzo-soprano
C O N T R A L T O the lowest female voice, with a range of the F below middle C to the second G above middle C. It is a rare voice type, so the roles can often be sung by mezzo-sopranos. It is the darkest in timbre and is reserved for specialty roles, such as grandmothers, noble witches, and goddesses. 6
Marian Anderson contralto
Meredith Arwady contralto