Soubrette: A soubrette voice is usually not capable of great volume. Its range usually stretches only from C4 to D6. Soubrettes usually play young, rather silly roles such as Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte. A true soubrette voice will not have the longevity of a richer, more dramatic soprano. Kathleen Battle and Patrice Munsel are two famous soubrettes of the past century.
Lyric Soprano: The most common type of female voice is the lyric soprano. The range of this voice is usually from A3 to D6 and possibly a bit higher. Some of the most famous roles written for lyric sopranos are Pamina in The Magic Flute, Marguerite in Faust, and Michaela in Carmen. Renee Fleming and Anna Netrebko are the two most famous lyric sopranos of our time.
Full Lyric Soprano: One of the more ambiguous categories is that of the full lyric soprano. This voice is basically a lyric voice that allows the singer to attempt heavier roles because it naturally carries more weight. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Angela Gheorghiu are the most recent examples. Although there have never been any roles written specifically for a full lyric voice, roles such as Liu in Turandot and Mimi in La Boheme are traditionally sung by a lyric soprano with a bit more punch.
Lyric Coloratura: The sopranos who are able to sing the highest are the lyric coloraturas. The range of a lyric coloratura can stretch from B3 to G6 and, in some rare cases, even higher. Mado Robin, for example was able to sing to a C7. A lyric coloratura must also be able to sing with great agility. Sopranos with this voice type typically sing young women who eventually go mad such as the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor and Elvira in I Puritani. Natalie Dessay and Diana Damrau are two of the now active lyric coloraturas.
Dramatic Coloratura: The dramatic coloratura is an extension of the lyric coloratura category. These voices combine the power of a dramatic voice with the agility and range of a lyric coloratura. A dramatic coloratura’s range is usually from A3 to F6. Unfortunately, dramatic coloratura roles are often condemned as being “unsingable”. Abigaille in Nabucco, the title role of Norma, and Lady Macbeth have almost been ostracized from the operatic repertory. One of the most famous dramatic coloraturas of all time is Dame Joan Sutherland.
Spinto Soprano: A spinto soprano voice is not quite a lyric, not quite a Wagnerian. A spinto range is typically from A3 to D6. These sopranos get all the best roles including the title roles of Aida, Madame Butterfly, and Tosca. No country has given the world more spinto sopranos than the USA. Leontyne Price, Aprile Millo, Maria Callas, Rosa Ponselle, Dorothy Kirsten, and Carol Vaness are the names of just a few.
Wagnerian Soprano: The dramatic or “Wagnerian” voice is capable of more volume than any other soprano. The range, stretching from A3 to C-sharp6, is a bit lower than other sopranos. Although these ladies specialize in Wagnerian roles, they also sing roles such as the title roles of Turandot and Ariadne auf Naxos. Some of the most famous Wagnerian sopranos of the past 50 years are Birgit Nilsson, Eva Marton, and Deborah Voigt.
Soprano Sfogato: A very rare voice type is that of the soprano sfogato or “soprano unlimited”.These girls can sing anything written for the female voice whether it was meant for a growling contralto or a high-flying coloratura. The sfogati had their hay day in the 19th century. Isabella Colbran, Adelina Patti, Maria Malibran, and Guiditta Pasta were the names of just a few. Unfortunately, the soprano sfogato is now almost extinct. The only examples from the last century are Lucia Popp, Maria Callas, and, to some extent, Cecilia Bartoli.
As you have probably already surmised, sopranos are not bound by their fachs (German for “compartment”). Many sopranos, especially those who are like the great Maria Callas, will sing whatever they are comfortable with. Many sopranos will even venture into the mezzo-soprano category and sing the title role of Carmen.
Sources: http://www.ipasource.com/
Pogue, David and Scott Speck: Opera For Dummies
