coloratura

[ kuhl-er-uh-toor-uh, -tyoor-uh, kol-, kohl- ]

noun

1. runs, trills, and other florid decorations in vocal music.
2. a lyric soprano of high range who specializes in such music.

coloratura

/ ˈkɒlərəˌtjʊə; ˌkɒlərəˈtʊərə /

noun

1. 1. (in 18th- and 19th-century arias) a florid virtuoso passage
   2. ( as modifier )

      a coloratura aria

2. Also calledcoloratura soprano a lyric soprano who specializes in such music

coloratura

1. Elaborate ornamentation in a piece of vocal music. A coloratura soprano is one who can sing such highly ornamented parts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of coloratura¹

1730–40; < Italian < Late Latin: literally, coloring. See color, -ate ¹, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of coloratura¹

C19: from obsolete Italian, literally: colouring, from Latin colōrāre to colour

Example Sentences

She was a coloratura soprano with an almost freakish vocal range — nearly four octaves, it was said, a voice capable, if any voice is, of the wineglass-shattering stunt of legend.

From Los Angeles Times

“She is a lyric coloratura, with a relatively small voice that carries in a big auditorium by virtue of its concentrated tone. And she is a complete actress, in voice and movement.”

From Seattle Times

She was admired for her coloratura singing and feared for her business chops.

From New York Times

Seal Beach Symphony’s Mother’s Day Recital Pianist Van-Anh Nguyen and coloratura soprano Hila Plitman are among the performers slated for a program that includes works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Debussy and Chopin.

From Los Angeles Times

Mozart also writes runs with crazy coloratura, as well as some dramatic moments.

From New York Times

Related Words

• singer