Coloratura

musical technique

Coloratura is a term meaning florid singing in which singers demonstrate great agility with their voices. Although often associated with light sopranos, it can apply to any voice type such as tenor, mezzo-soprano, baritone, bass, especially in the bel canto repertoire.

Farinelli, a soprano castrato famous for singing baroque coloratura roles (Bartolomeo Nazari, 1734)