coloratura
Elaborate singing embellishment
Coloratura is elaborate ornamentation in vocal music, featuring rapid runs, trills, and other virtuosic passages that showcase a singer's agility.
The term also describes a soprano voice suited to such music, or the singer herself: a coloratura soprano, The coloratura dazzled the audience with her precision.
The style is central to baroque and bel canto opera.
Highest female voice range
- ariaOperatic solo piece
- divaCelebrated female vocalist
- prima donnaTemperamental, self-important person
- bel cantoElegant Italian vocal style
recitative · libretto · da capo · high C · Olympia · Lucia · lyric · soubrette
Rapid pitch alternations
- cadenzasOrnate solo passages
- embellishmentsDecorative extras added on
- runsMoves fast on foot
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
passages · ornamentations · turns · grace notes · arpeggios · divisions · glissandi · chromatics
Elaborately decorated
- floridExcessively ornate or ruddy
- elaborateComplex and detailed
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
- baroqueExcessively ornate or elaborate
intricate · decorative · flamboyant · luxuriant · brilliant · dazzling · shimmering · silvery
Highest female voice range
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
- contraltoLowest female vocal range
- tenorEssential meaning or import
- countertenorHigh-voiced male singer
castrato · treble · baritone · bass · alto · falsetto · mezzo · head voice
Quickness and ease
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- acrobaticInvolving spectacular physical feats
showpiece · pyrotechnics · dexterity · range · octaves · demanding · display · mastery
soprano
Highest female voice range
- ariaOperatic solo piece
- divaCelebrated female vocalist
- prima donnaTemperamental, self-important person
bel canto · recitative · libretto · da capo · high C · Olympia · Lucia · lyric · soubrette · dramatic
trills
Rapid pitch alternations
- cadenzasOrnate solo passages
- embellishmentsDecorative extras added on
- runsMoves fast on foot
scales · passages · ornamentations · turns · grace notes · arpeggios · divisions · glissandi · chromatics · vocalise
ornate
Elaborately decorated
- floridExcessively ornate or ruddy
- elaborateComplex and detailed
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
baroque · intricate · decorative · flamboyant · luxuriant · brilliant · dazzling · shimmering · silvery · bell-like
soprano
Highest female voice range
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
- contraltoLowest female vocal range
- tenorEssential meaning or import
countertenor · castrato · treble · baritone · bass · alto · falsetto · mezzo · head voice · chest voice
agility
Quickness and ease
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
acrobatic · showpiece · pyrotechnics · dexterity · range · octaves · demanding · display · mastery · execution
- singingsoprano, lead vocals, vocalist, alto, backing vocals
- high-pitched soundssqueak, squeal, shriek, screech, shrill
- vocal musicsong, vocals, soprano, tenor, alto
- vocalistssinger, vocalist, soloist, songstress, songster
- voice professionalsvoice coach, vocal coach, voice actor, voice teacher, speech coach
- operaopera, aria, arias, soprano, tenor
coloraturalegato
Unbroken musical phrasing
cantabile · recitative · chant · monotone