Talk:Coloratura soprano

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[edit] Capitalization

It's important to correct all the capitalization in this article. WP uses sentence-style capitals. -- Kleinzach (talk) 00:35, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Major error

"To hear an example of a dramatic coloratura soprano(Maria Callas in the role of Rosina (soprano version) from The Barber of Seville) click on this link: Watch Here". Callas is perhaps a dramatic coloratura, but this aria doesn't demonstrate it. This is a mezzo-soprano aria sung in the original key, and although it's a coloratura mezzo part it's definitely not a dramatic part. It is better to put a link to Callas' Norma or Traviata or Macbeth. AdamChapman (talk) 20:02, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

I agree that a better example could be found, but I do believe this is the higher key version that is performed by sopranos and not mezzos.Nrswanson (talk) 22:23, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

It's not matter of belief. You can sit next to the piano and check. The key is E, which is the original key for mezzos. In this key the singer goes down to g-sharp. Callas was unique - she could sing these mezzo roles of Rosina and Carmen in their original forms. It should actually be an example of overlapping repertoire between faches. AdamChapman (talk) 10:44, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Another error

It says here that soprano sfogato is a soprano which is able to hit higher than f. As far as I know, Malibran and Pasta (and more recently Bartoli) are described as soprano sfogato for their ability to encompass the low alto register as well as the soprano heights. Consequently, I guess this term denotes some kind of intermediate voice between mezzo and soprano, and a high coloratura soprano. AdamChapman (talk) 09:56, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

The Harvard dictionary of music merely says that this is the highest of soprano voices. The term seems to be associated with the upper register of the voice and not the lower register.Nrswanson (talk) 22:21, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

The dictionary is probably right. It could be interesting, though, to check the different uses of this term - Many people call Bartoli a "soprano sfogato". Are they wrong? Perhaps the terms can be referred to both sides of the range? AdamChapman (talk) 10:48, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

The more research I do on this the more convinced I am that Bartoli (and Malibran for that matter) are not sfogato soprano. Every professional resource I come across keeps refering to an upper extension beyond the normal coloratura range. It also refers to a characteristic light quality (sometimes even described as "thin") to the voice which seems counter to the more dramatic full sounds of Bartoli. It seems that there is some debate as to whether Callas deserves the title among some scholars as her voice is a bit too dark and heavy. The same would seem to apply to Pasta. Classic examples of sfogato are Mado Robin, Lily Pons, Toti Dal Monte, and Amelita Galli-Curci. These singers were listed in many different resources.Nrswanson (talk) 14:51, 18 May 2008 (UTC)