koloratursoprano

Koloratursoprano is a German term for the voice type more commonly called coloratura soprano in Italian and English. It denotes a soprano with exceptional vocal agility and a bright, light timbre, capable of singing rapid scale and ornamented passages, trill figures, and extended upper notes. In German-speaking singing pedagogy, the koloratursopran is contrasted with lyric and dramatic sopranos and is valued for precision and ease across a high tessitura.

Typical characteristics include a high, flexible upper range, facility with rapid coloratura runs, and the ability to sustain long, intricate phrases. Ranges vary among singers, but the voice is generally used in the upper soprano tessitura, often reaching high C (C6) and occasionally higher in virtuosic passages.

Repertoire is rooted in bel canto and classical era opera. Notable roles commonly assigned to koloratursoprano include heroines from Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini operas in which agile singing is essential, such as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor and Gilda in Rigoletto, as well as iconic coloratura showpieces such as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. Mozart's lighter arias and certain contemporary works may also be performed by singers described as koloratursoprane.

Today the term remains in use mainly in German-speaking contexts; internationally the more widely used label is coloratura soprano. The distinction is functional and repertoire-driven, reflecting the singer’s agility and upper-range focus rather than a single fixed set of notes.