chanteuses
Cabaret club performers
Chanteuses is the plural of chanteuse, a French borrowing for a female singer, particularly one who performs cabaret, jazz, or popular songs in an intimate nightclub setting.
The word carries connotations of sophistication and old-world glamour: The chanteuses of 1920s Paris defined an era.
It's slightly precious in English, often used with ironic affection.
Performer of heartbreak songs
- torch songSentimental song of longing
- MontmartreHilltop artists' district in Paris
- Moulin RougeHistoric Parisian cabaret
- speakeasyIllicit liquor establishment
Edith Piaf · nightclub · Weimar · Marlene Dietrich · Josephine Baker · spotlight · sequins · feathers
Highest female voice range
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
- contraltoLowest female vocal range
- coloraturaElaborate vocal ornamentation
- prima donnaTemperamental, self-important person
aria · bel canto · diva · cantatrice · Maria Callas · virtuosa · operetta · lieder
Lower female voice
- sopranoHighest female voice range
- mezzoMid-range female singer
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- refrainAbstain from acting
melody · vibrato · phrasing · timbre · crooner · warbler · soloist · performer
One who sings professionally
- AdeleBritish singer, one name
- belterPowerful vocalist or stunner
- powerhouseSource of great energy
- hitmakerCreator of popular songs
Mariah Carey · Whitney Houston · Celine Dion · Aretha Franklin · Beyoncé · Barbra Streisand · songstress · recording artist
Singer of narrative songs
- troubadourMedieval Provençal lyric poet
- storytellerOne who recounts tales
- acousticRelating to sound
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
Édith Piaf · Joni Mitchell · Joan Baez · Celtic · serenader · folk singer · protest singer · singer-songwriter
torch singer
Performer of heartbreak songs
- torch songSentimental song of longing
- MontmartreHilltop artists' district in Paris
- Moulin RougeHistoric Parisian cabaret
Edith Piaf · speakeasy · nightclub · Weimar · Marlene Dietrich · Josephine Baker · spotlight · sequins · feathers · smoky
soprano
Highest female voice range
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
- contraltoLowest female vocal range
- coloraturaElaborate vocal ornamentation
prima donna · aria · bel canto · diva · cantatrice · Maria Callas · virtuosa · operetta · lieder · vocal range
alto
Lower female voice
refrain · melody · vibrato · phrasing · timbre · crooner · warbler · soloist · performer · vocalise
vocalist
One who sings professionally
- AdeleBritish singer, one name
- belterPowerful vocalist or stunner
- powerhouseSource of great energy
Mariah Carey · Whitney Houston · Celine Dion · Aretha Franklin · Beyoncé · Barbra Streisand · hitmaker · songstress · recording artist · chart-topper
balladeer
Singer of narrative songs
- troubadourMedieval Provençal lyric poet
- storytellerOne who recounts tales
- acousticRelating to sound
Édith Piaf · Joni Mitchell · Joan Baez · traditional · Celtic · serenader · folk singer · protest singer · singer-songwriter
- cabaretcabaret, cancan, showgirls, burlesque, Moulin Rouge
chanteusesinstrumentalists
Musicians using tools
accompanists · pianists · backing band · guitarists · violinists